A blanket of grey clouds replaced the previous evening’s sunshine at Ludlow Castle, but if the weather threatened to dampen spirits, the music certainly didn’t. From the opening act to the night’s unforgettable finale, Richard Ashcroft‘s sold-out show proved that great live music shines regardless of the forecast.
First on stage were Versaints, a three-piece post-punk/grunge band local to the area. Their heavy punk and ’90s grunge blend meant the crowd were in for a fast start.
Liverpool quartet The Kairos followed, bringing a burst of youthful energy that immediately changed the atmosphere. The rising indie-rock band have quickly built a reputation for their catchy anthems such as “Punchline Fistfight”, and this could be seen as more people piled into the venue. One of the standout moments came when frontman Oli Humphries triumphantly raised his guitar above his head, drawing a huge cheer from the crowd before launching into the next song.
Next came Cast, the Britpop veterans whose catalogue has made them one of the defining guitar bands of the 1990s. Effortlessly blending classics with their unmistakable Liverpool swagger, John Power and company reminded the audience why their songs continue to resonate decades later. It was the perfect bridge between the younger support acts and the evening’s headline performance. Frontman John Power made it known that their single “Walkaway” was synonymous with England’s early football exits.
Both Cast and Richard supported Oasis last year on their comeback tour, and I was so ecstatic to see them; it did, however, make it more special that I got to have a night for just these two back-to-back.
As the lights dimmed once more, and the clouds got darker, anticipation reached its peak. Richard Ashcroft emerged to a thunderous reception, taking to the stage in his trademark blue denim jacket and signature sunglasses as the opening notes of “Sonnet” rang out across Ludlow Castle.
From the very beginning, Ashcroft commanded the stage with the effortless presence that has defined his career, his soaring vocals sounding as powerful as ever. The set balanced timeless classics such as “The drugs don’t work” and “Lucky Man” with a solo favourite of mine “, A song for the lovers”. With every chorus echoed back by a devoted audience, it was a reminder of Ashcroft’s remarkable songwriting legacy, from his days with The Verve through to his acclaimed solo career. He extended the songs to give his band the perfect moment to showcase their talents and to prepare everyone for the final song.
Closing with “Bittersweet Symphony,” the evening reached a new peak. As thousands of voices sang every word, Ashcroft stood with his arms outstretched, taking in the moment and allowing the crowd to carry the song to its conclusion.
It was a fitting end to an unforgettable night, proving that even beneath overcast skies, Ludlow Castle remained a spectacular setting for live music.
