RICHARD ASHCROFT ANNOUNCES HOMECOMING SHOW IN WIGAN

Rachel Brown Published: November 2023 | Updated: November 2023 2 minutes read

Richard Ashcroft, winner of two Ivor Novello awards, will perform at Robin Park Arena as part of the Wigan Warriors and SJM Concerts series.

Taking the stage once again on Saturday 20th July, the Billinge-born 52-year-old will once again rock the Douglas Valley. Just over 25 years ago, Ashcroft played Haigh Hall in front of 35,000 people, a moment now iconic in music history. This will be the first time Ashcroft performs in Wigan since that famous show.

Achieving fame with The Verve, Ashcroft released one of the biggest albums of the era: Urban Hymns, followed by a succession of anthems that remain staples in his live set today, including “The Drugs Don’t Work”, “Bittersweet Symphony”, “Lucky Man”, and “Sonnet”. In the UK Album Charts, he reached No.2 with ‘Acoustic Hymns’ released in 2022.

Warriors’ Chief Executive Kris Radlinski said: “The 24th of May 1998 remains etched in the memories of many Wiganers, myself included, as a cultural pinnacle when The Verve electrified Haigh Hall to its core. It was a moment that Wigan created as a lasting, “I was there” memory for the town. Fast forward 26 years, and one of the most iconic rock and roll singers of all time, Mr. Richard Ashcroft, is set to make a triumphant return to Wigan. This is a realisation of a goal we’ve pursued for nearly a decade. The vision for Robin Park has always been to create a welcoming space where people feel an integral part of our community. In July 2024, we extend an invitation to experience an entirely new dimension, bringing one of our long-standing dreams to reality. I express deep gratitude to Simon Moran and Steve Walton from SJM for trusting us with the responsibility of hosting this monumental occasion. Be sure not to miss this extraordinary event. This is really happening “