Live Review: Richard Ashcroft – 14th July 2024 – Kew The Music, London, UK

We once again made our way to Richmond for the final night of this years Kew The Music, closing in spectacular fashion with Richard Ashcroft. Unbeknownst to this weary traveller, however, proceedings had been moved forward considerably due to the Euros final, in which England faced Spain. Due to this, we arrived just in time for Richard to take to the stage at an incredible early headline slot of 6:30. A unique situation. The plan of Richard’s was to screen the football, but he instead settled for fans to get off and see it wherever possible. “For now, we’re here for the love of music,” he said, before him and his band kicked into Space and Time.

The atmosphere of this show felt very different to that of the others, due in part to the earlier runtime, but also to the difference in the size of the crowd. That being said, nearly everyone who was in attendance – and not at a bar somewhere waiting for kick off – were stood up and as close to the stage as possible. Another Verve tune followed, Weeping Willow being an underrated song from the band’s seminal album in this writers opinion. Ashcroft’s voice still packed a gravelly punch, and behind the dark sunglasses and festival bucket hat he seemed to be quite chipper.

A Song For The Lovers was dedicated to those who had recently lost a love one, Richard talking candidly about a friend of his, due to play at the show, who had died two weeks prior. It was a somber moment brought to life by the passionate performances and the slowly setting sun casting a golden light over the park. It wasn’t long, however, before things became upbeat again. “Actually, let’s get some cold beers on this stage,” Richard said, raising his can to the crowd. “Let’s get this party started!”

A bombardment of Verve classics rounded off the remarkably short set, starting with The Drugs Don’t Work. There wasn’t a single person stood quietly, from the moment the verse began till the end of the track. Everyone sang their hearts out, and continued to. “This one reached the top of the charts in September 1997,” Richard informed everyone, his hat and sunglasses gone, jacket tied around his waist. “Just before Elton (John) slipped out that one about Diana.” The song in question was of course Candle In The Wind, and The Verve song he was referring to was Lucky Man. He managed to mention is wife of 28 years, also, that week being their anniversary, and even dropped a joke in about ex-President Trump’s ear.

Everyone was feeling relaxed and elated as Richard came to his final song of the evening. “I was caught between a rock and a hard place,” he said of the football. “I hope you get to see some of the match. Come on England!” Unfortunately, we know now that it was all in vain, but in that moment – hopeful and standing in the beautiful sunshine – Bitter Sweet Symphony sounded like the national anthem. Indeed, Richard nodded to it as such. It was hard to tell if people were pleased or not at the decision to rush through things, but one thing’s for sure; even in that space of time, Richard was able to captivate the audience and give one hell of a performance.

Set List: 
Space and Time
Sonnet
Weeping Willow
Music Is Power
A Song for the Lovers
On Your Own
Break the Night With Colour
The Drugs Don’t Work
Lucky Man
Bitter Sweet Symphony

Ryan Bulbeck

Writer and Musician, Ryan Bulbeck has been published with a number of online publications, and has worked with a myriad of great artists, both as a performer, and as a producer. His most recent band The 295 are still active, playing shows around the UK.