Fresh from supporting Oasis on their UK tour, Richard Ashcroft stepped ever confidently into the spotlight, bringing his headline arena tour to Manchester’s Co-op Live

Richard Ashcroft, The Lathums – Co-op Live, Manchester – Saturday 8th November 2025

RICHARD ASHCROFT

Fresh from supporting Oasis on their UK tour, Richard Ashcroft stepped ever confidently into the spotlight, bringing his headline arena tour to Manchester’s Co-op Live — just a short drive from his hometown of Wigan. Armed with his new album Lovin’ You (our review here), Ashcroft delivered a heartfelt, career-spanning set that reminded everyone why his name still carries such weight in British music.

Prior to taking the stage, the DJ set the mood with classics including Ian Brown’s F.E.A.R., accompanied by videos on the big screen. Around five minutes before showtime, the string section take their places, heightening anticipation. Then, with his own cover version of John Lennon’s Bring On The Lucie (Freda Peeple) echoing through the PA, the band assemble and Ashcroft swaggers on stage in his casual leather jacket, jeans, trainers, and sunglasses. It’s a trademark look.

ROCKIER THAN EVER

They launch straight into the high-energy Hold On, sounding rockier than ever with an extended outro showcasing great lead guitar work. Without pause, Ashcroft takes the crowd back to The Verve days with Space & Time — again re-imagined with soaring strings and a huge sound.

Clearly relishing the connection with his band and audience, he declares, “This proves music is power!” before kicking into Music Is Power from his Keys to the World album. Backing singers joined as Ashcroft sheds his jacket to lead the band through gospel-tinged breakdowns and crescendos, ending an electric opening trio.

LOVIN’ YOU

Next up is the title track from Lovin’ You; one of only three songs from the new record — a gentler moment that fits perfectly amid the anthems. The classic Velvet Morning follows, then A Song For The Lovers, with Ashcroft asking, “Who was at Heaton Park?” to huge cheers from those who’d seen him support Oasis earlier this year.

Mid-set highlights included C’mon People (We’re Making It Now), Break the Night with Colour, Oh L’Amour, and They Don’t Own Me. Introducing his new single, Lover, Ashcroft praises Joan Armatrading for allowing him to sample her work, transforming it into a swaggering, drum-and-bass-infused track bathed in pink light — a bold sound that the crowd embrace warmly.

HISTORY

From here, it’s all Verve classics. He warns he might stumble through History as he rarely plays it nowadays, but it sounds glorious. Sonnet prompts a mass singalong, the crowd continuing the refrain after the song ends.  Lucky Man is introduced with a swiping anecdote about ignoring a teacher who tried to stifle his creativity: “I didn’t want to use chopsticks on a fucking glockenspiel!” he quips, before referencing his Ivor Novello Awards.

Ashcroft returns solo for an encore with The Drugs Don’t Work, holding the audience in a singalong before the band rejoin for another powerful and extended end. Finally, he dedicates Bitter Sweet Symphony to Ricky Hatton; “This one’s for you, Rick!” as the crowd chanted the boxer’s name. The anthem closes the night in euphoric fashion, Ashcroft shadow-boxing and kicking over his mic stand with swagger before leaving to let his band play out.

This was a show proving Ashcroft’s songs – old and new – remain timeless. His voice is as strong as ever, his band flawless, and fans of all ages left the arena happy and likely singing their favourite earworms all the way home.

THE LATHUMS

In support of Richard Ashcroft in Manchester are The Lathums. A band somewhat more experienced and worldly wise than the one we last saw at Tramlines in 2021 as they embarked on a journey that some might accuse of being driven by a pact with the Devil, such has been the scale of the runaway success. The unplugged guitar lead back then showing a touch of nerves, none of which were on show tonight as they get the chance to deliver a brief half hour set. One that plays a safe card with a selection from each of their three chart bothering albums. Each passing track shows an ever increasing confidence and swagger that solidifies their position as one of the best up and coming indie bands.

Richard Ashcroft: Website / Facebook / X / Instagram

The Lathums: Website / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube

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