Richard Ashcroft has been officially announced as the “very special guest” to support Oasis during their upcoming tour dates in the UK and Ireland. The iconic Manchester rock band revealed this news on Monday (21 October), highlighting the longstanding friendship between Ashcroft and the Gallagher brothers. Last week, The Independent exclusively disclosed that Ashcroft would be joining the tour as a supporting act.
The connection between Ashcroft and Oasis dates back to the early ’90s when Oasis supported The Verve on a national tour in 1993, and later, The Verve returned the favour by supporting Oasis at The Bataclan in Paris in 1995. Ashcroft expressed his excitement, stating, “As a fan from day one, I was buzzing for many reasons when the news of Oasis’s return was announced. The songwriting talent of Noel and Liam and their pure spirit as a lead singer inspired me to create some of my best work.”
Noel Gallagher paid tribute to Ashcroft by penning the track “Cast No Shadow” from Oasis’s album “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?”. In an interview, Noel shared his admiration for Ashcroft, describing him as a “genius” who seemed out of place but always strived to do the right thing. Ashcroft, on the other hand, expressed his honour at being the inspiration for the song, even humorously musing on interpretations of being a supernatural being.
Following The Verve’s success with “Urban Hymns” and hits like “The Drugs Don’t Work” in 1997, Noel Gallagher praised Ashcroft’s talent and expressed disappointment in the circumstances that hindered The Verve’s rise to the level of success achieved by Oasis. The Verve disbanded in 2009, while Ashcroft embarked on a successful solo career, releasing top 10 albums including “These People” in 2016.
In his solo endeavours, Ashcroft continued to collaborate with iconic figures such as Liam Gallagher, with whom he did a duet of “C’mon People (We’re Making It Now)” from his debut solo album, “Alone With Everybody”. The highly anticipated Oasis tour in the UK and Ireland from 4 July 2025 to 28 September 2025 has already sold out, with US rock band Cage the Elephant lined up as support for the North American leg of the tour.
The reunion of Richard Ashcroft and Oasis on stage promises to be a nostalgic and powerful musical journey, rekindling the magic and memories of their shared musical history. Fans eagerly anticipate the epic performances that will unfold as these iconic figures come together to create new memories and celebrate the timeless power of music.