Richard Ashcroft
Manchester Albert Hall
23/12/2018
So its like this, I've always been a fan of the Wigan, Lancashire band 'The Verve' but never had the opportunity to see them.
Mr Ashcroft announced a mini tour to promote his new album 'Natural Rebel' and I thought it was time,originally the show was on 31st October,but 'Richard' pulled out after the Glasgow show with illness.
So Newly re-scheduled here we are again ,no support band for tonight just a DJ, albeight a good one after a few unknown tunes from 60's, the crowd are getting into it, amongst the tunes tonight 'Happy Mondays' Bring A Friend,World Of Twist-Sons Of The Stage, and very packed out crowd.
I'm of course stood under the altar of middle front stage where we are waiting for the main man to arrive,The band take to the stage are closely followed by 'Richard' himself, standing in front of his own larger than life image, he's wearing Jeans and Camo Khaki jacket ,those shades,his hair long to over his ears, his figure is very slight that you have to do a double take that he's not 'John Cooper Clarke'.
The crowd go crazy as he stands guitar in hand nodding ,I hadn't expected the audience to come alive so soon, and it was already sounding like it would be a special show. beginning with his new song 'Hold On', there's just no one that sounds the way he does he has so much soul,even though I'm not yet familiar with all the new tracks .
The next one I certainly am 'Sonnet' from 'Urban Hymns' by 'The Verve' I was lucky to be a part of the promotion of that album in 1998 I worked for 'Virgin Records' I put up the point of sale in the windows and made the shop display up for it for the day of release, it sold mega units.
Everyone was singing along in unison including myself he was on good form tonight, so still with 'The Verve' back catalogue a surprise my fav album track 'Space And Time' I cant explain how cathartic it was to hear that track even now.
'Richard' is not a man of many words speech wise but he's appreciative of the sold out crowd he mentions that 'Morrissey's relation is in the crowd tonight he points to the left balcony, going on to say he lost a t-shirt at a gig the other night apparently, well there's a revelation we weren't expecting.
He asks if there are any lovers in the crowd and takes a step forward to the mic to begin 'Song For Lovers',another highlight was the way the intro to 'Lucky Man' begins and the crowd reaction, everyone singing every word, such a fantastic 90's anthem he still sounds strong which takes me to the next track 'That's How Strong', the crowd ...every person here has so much respect for him it was a beautiful snapshot.
He exits the stage bowing to the crowd leaving us chanting for more, its not long before he returns with his band and his acoustic guitar immediately striking the chords to 'Drugs Don't Work', although there was no special guest (Some expected 'Liam Gallagher' to buddy up on stage) Richard is wearing another buttoned khaki jacket looking like he's been shopping at 'Pretty Green' ('Liam's own branded clothing store which is in Manchester and London).
Every word is sang with poise and emotion, before changing the mood to a more Electric feel and then something I've been waiting for , for years 'Bittersweet Symphony' it's epic everyone goes for it in the front row and up in the balcony all around the venue everyone waves their arms in the air all together ....united.
What a way to end the show. What a legend ,granted the band couldn't totally emulate 'Nick McCabe's (original guitarist,member of 'The Verve' sound) but it sounded as close to it as ever to them being back together, but really he is 'The Verve' he is the 'Natural Rebel'.
LMi xo
Bye 2018
