This article was originally published on Liverpool Noise here.
By Sam Millne
Riding the wave of the public’s rekindled appetite for Britpop and everything that went along with the era, Richard Ashcroft took to the arena with the confidence of a man whose popularity has risen fivefold.
Since his days in The Verve, Ashcroft has been recognised as one of the 1990s’ great exports – Urban Hymns is renowned as an indubitable masterpiece – but his profile as a songwriter hasn’t always matched his draw on the biggest stages.
However, thanks to his stint alongside Cast, supporting Oasis on the most anticipated run of gigs the nation has seen in 60 years, he reminded those who needed it of his status as a gem in British music history.
Now, on his fast-selling arena tour, Ashcroft is bringing his music to a new generation for whom hits like Lucky Man and Bittersweet Symphony were classics their parents forced upon them as children.
This, Ashcroft’s second date of the run, saw him claim Merseyside for his own.
For one night only, he was the self-proclaimed “most popular Woolyback in Liverpool” and connected with his crowd, telling stories of his upbringing in Wigan, where Scousers would face ‘Woolybacks’ in games on the school field.
Ashcroft, now 54 years old, has come a long way from those innocent days, but he remains grounded in his approach.
What becomes very apparent very quickly is the way he flows through the music. Seemingly unaware of the thousands watching his every step, Ashcroft makes hand gestures and body movements in an almost tribal manner.
It is something you might do in the kitchen with nobody around. For the singer, though, it is a vital part of being in sync with his band.
Ashcroft has the look of a man who is still as in love with music as the day he bought his first record.
With a pair of white trainers, light, loosely-fitting jeans and a stripey top, he could very much still be your dad’s mate who likes to talk about the old days when music was ‘better’.
Though Ashcoft is clearly influenced by past greats, the decision to take rising band The Royston Club on tour, themselves based in Liverpool, shows he is forward-thinking as well.
As the lights came down on the waterfront arena, The La’s’ Timeless Melody played as a nod to the city’s musical heritage.
The string quartet then hit start and we were away.
Weeping Willow was the first on the list and the performer wasted no time getting into it, going down on his knees and instantly enticing the crowd to become emotionally invested in his lyrics.
For the next track, Space and Time, the acoustic guitar came out, while third song Music is Power was an unexpected favourite.
One criticism that could be levelled at the set was that some of the tracks went on for too long, with lengthy outros and guitar solos a common theme.
While it is perhaps true that some could have been cut down, the extended nature of the orchestral elements to the show was really impressive.
With a piano, string quartet, bass, lead, backing vocals and extra guitars, this was a finely-tuned company who made every song sound bigger.
Lead guitarist Steve Wyreman’s use of the wah pedal gave the melodic writings of Ashcroft a rock ‘n’ roll feel and the strings always felt well-orchestrated, never overbearing.
The biggest hits were saved until the end, with The Drugs Don’t Work providing a moment of calm and reflection amid the storm.
Lucky Man followed to a huge ovation, which left Ashcroft standing at the front of the stage with his guitar above his head, taking in the adulation of the crowd.
He left the stage in darkness before returning a few minutes later for the encore.
At first, the artist stood alone with just the spotlight illuminating his face for C’mon People (We’re Making It Now).
As he moved into Sonnet, though, the band returned for an almighty singalong that ended in Bittersweet Symphony.
For a few minutes, the arena turned into a mass party as the echoes of Ashcroft’s most famous hit went on and on.
Nobody wanted it to stop, but in the end it had to, and with a sip from his mug and toss of his towel, Ashcroft left the stage.
Mersey Music 