Richard Ashcroft

Richard Ash Croft needs no introduction! An Indie legend and a major part of ‘Britpop', which shook up the music world in the 90’s. He is considered by many to be the greatest songwriter of his era, and with songs like ‘Sonnet’, ‘Drugs Don't Work’ and ‘Lucky Man’ its easy to see why. I was fortune enough to see him at the Exeter, small venue for such an iconic artist. It was a sell out and the hall was packed tight. I remember getting to the bar was quite an up evil. The stage ran along the front and the hall was dressed by a red light.
The crowd grew restless but were sent into cheers as the lights were dimmed, the instrumental at the start of ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ started to play. The crowd knew their arrival was imminent! Dark figures started to enter the stage and the crowed roared. Then the stage lights came on and there he was. Chants rang out but finally faded as the drums joined in with the violin part of “Bitter Sweet Symphony”. With that the gig had begun, and what a start! The song I predicted to be the encore was the song he started with! He played for 2 hours and in that time found time for all of his hits. From the days of The Verve to his songs from his remarkable solo career Richard Ashcroft chatted confidently. He spoke about other projects he’d been doing and generally jested with the audience. He finished the gig with ‘Break the Night With Colour’ followed by the Oasis’s anthem ‘Live Forever’ which the audience sang along too with great enthusiasm.
An amazing set by a legendary British songwriter and musician. Don’t miss the chance to see a man who's responsible for some of the best songs ever written and ones that made a big mark on 90’s youth culture.

Having formed in York way back in 1990, there’s no real question that Shed Seven represent one of the great success stories in British rock music of the past couple of decades; starting out as a straightforward alternative rock outfit, they went on to ride the wave of Britpop to serious acclaim; they adapted their sound just intelligently enough for the critics to consider them a part of that scene, but any suggestion that they reinvented themselves entirely purely to make themselves a more viable commercial proposition would be completely unfair. They continued to make records into the noughties, before splitting in 2003 after the departure of guitarist and songwriter Paul Banks and dwindling fortunes that had seen them split from their record label. After reforming for a fourteen date comeback jaunt around the UK in 2007, though, with Banks on board, they’ve continued to tour the UK pretty much annually to rapturous receptions from crowds that consistently sell out academy sized venues. Their setlists span all four of their pre-split albums, and include material from recent EPs, too - a new full-length is now well overdue, so look out for some extensive touring when they do finally manage to put out a follow up to 2001’s Truth Be Told.