Richard Ashcroft Takes Over Alexandra Palace Park
Richard Ashcroft, the legendary singer-songwriter best known as the frontman of the iconic band The Verve, performed his classic songs at Alexandra Palace Park, overlooking London, on Friday, July 17, 2026, as part of a summer tour that has had him headlining gigs and festivals up and down the country.
Cast were the first band to take to the stage. They also played alongside Ashcroft last year as supports on the biggest tour of the year, Oasis’s highly anticipated reunion. The biggest highlight for me during their set was the crowd belting out “Walkaway” louder than the band as the sun beat down on them.
Next up were The Lathums, who really thrived on stage and made their already good studio sound even more exceptional. The crowd didn’t disappoint: as soon as songs like “Fight On” and “Say My Name” started to play, they overpowered the speakers and matched the energy the band showcases on stage.
As the sun began to set over the park, the man himself took to the stage with his band and opened with The Verve’s well-known hit “Sonnet.” The crowd was deafening, and Ashcroft led everyone in a sing-along that carried on even after the song had ended.
He didn’t just play songs from The Verve. His solo career is almost as highly recognised, so hits such as “Song for the Lovers” and “Music Is Power” got the same reception as every other song on the setlist, proving how much of a legend he really is. At this point I was standing at the back of the venue, and seeing the whole crowd singing and dancing to his songs showed how loved his music is, and how many different generations of people were there, united by him.
As the set approached its end, Ashcroft played three of the most renowned songs from The Verve era: “The Drugs Don’t Work,” “Lucky Man” and, of course, to close the night, the globally famous “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” sending the crowd’s energy soaring even higher, to the point that he let them sing half the song as they overpowered him. The park felt like one massive ball of energy, created by everyone’s love of music and by the memories his songs have made over the years and during the night.
Even though the setlist was only 11 songs long, it was of such high quality that there were no complaints, and it still lasted 90 minutes, showcasing the biggest songs of his career. The venue overlooks London, so watching the sun set over the distant cityscape while hearing his music made the night feel even more special and iconic. His on-stage swagger and strong presence meant the crowd still felt the buzz long after he walked off stage, as the sing-alongs on the way back to the train station proved.
About the Artists
Richard Ashcroft is a singer-songwriter best known as the frontman of ’90s alt-rock band The Verve, who released iconic tracks and played some of the biggest stages in the UK and around the world before they broke up and he launched his solo career. He has since had multiple top-selling albums and earned a spot at the top of the supporting bill for most of Oasis’s Live ’25 dates, making his audience even bigger around the world.
The Lathums are an English indie rock band known for their energy and relatable lyrics. Their upbeat sound and storytelling have made them a standout in their genre: they went from playing pubs to selling out arenas at a fast pace, and both of their albums reached No. 1 in the UK.
Cast are a ’90s indie band who were a staple of the Britpop era, and their debut album featured hit singles that still get belted out at their sets. After four albums they went on hiatus, returned in 2010 and are still making music, with a new album due later this year. They also joined Ashcroft on several dates of the Oasis tour.
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