Richard Ashcroft announces huge career news days before touring with Oasis
Richard Ashcroft isn't slowing down anytime soon as he prepares to tour with Oasis. The Verve icon will be opening up for brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher on their mammoth stadium tour which kicks off in just a matter of days.
But while most people would be throwing themselves into rehearsals, Richard, 53, has been working on his first album in four years, following the release of his 2021 record, Acoustic Hymns, Vol. 1. Fans who are flooding to the likes of Cardiff's Principality Stadium, Manchester's Heaton Park and Wembley Stadium will no doubt hear Richard perform some of his biggest hits.
Amidst the preparations for the most anticipated tour in music history, the northern legend has been working on Lovin' You, which is slated for release on October 3. The new record opens with its first single, Lover, which is currently being played across the nation today.
The song fits into Joan Armatrading's mega hit, Love And Affection, and has even been praised by the songwriter herself, who said: "I love how he's sued my song and I love his song."
But the huge track sets the bar for Richard, who is currently at the peak of his game. His forthcoming record will set the tone of his sound, from his acoustic ballads and euphoric indie-rock, while flashing through Americana, soul and electronic beats. But the album is inspired by intimate and personal themes, focusing heavily on love, romance and affecting messages of support for those who are currently battling challenging aspects of their lives.
In true Richard style, every song on his upcoming release has been written by him. He also co-produced the record with Chris Potter and Emre Ramazanoglu. One track, I'm A Rebel, has been co-written and produced by Mirwais, who is best known for working with Madonna, after first meeting the Queen of Pop in the late Ninties.
Richard, who found fame as the founding member of The Verve, produced hits including Bitter Sweet Symphony and The Drugs Don't Work, has amassed huge success as a solo artist, with all five of his solo albums landing in the Top 5 spots. Later this week, he and Oasis will take to the road, with their friendship spanning decades.
He'll perform at all of the upcoming UK shows as a special guest, as well as his own headline show next month. Ahead of the first biblical Oasis gig on Friday, the Mirror revealed just days ago that the band, which includes Liam, Noel, new drummer Joey Waronker and guitarists Andy Bell, Gem Archer and Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, are gearing up to ensure they sound their best on the tour.
A source told us: "With a new lineup and it being such a huge first show, the boys will do some songs inside the venue too. Some tours would start with a smaller show or take a week or two to get into the groove again."
They went on to say that the brothers want each show to be "massive". The source continued by saying: "But there is no time for that and also Liam and Noel want every night to be massive." Our insider went on to add: "This is such a huge comeback show and they are taking it very seriously. It all points to it being an incredible comeback tour."
Where to see Richard live this summer:
July with Oasis
4th - Cardiff, Principality Stadium (SOLD OUT)
5th - Cardiff, Principality Stadium (SOLD OUT)
11th - Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
12th - Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
16th - Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
19th - Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
20th - Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)
25th - London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
26th - London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
30th - London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
August with Oasis
2nd - London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
3rd - London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
8th - Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)
9th - Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)
12th - Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)
16th - Dublin, Croke Park (SOLD OUT)
17th - Dublin, Croke Park (SOLD OUT)
23rd - Cornwall, Live At Scurrier House (HEADLINE SHOW)
September with Oasis
27th - London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
28th - London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)
'Lovin' You' is now available to pre-order here. It will be released on standard black vinyl, CD and digital formats.
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As the hotly anticipated Oasis reunion tour grows closer, the Mirror has launched its very own Oasis WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news on the Gallagher brothers and all the information you'll need in the run up to the gigs.
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