Oasis officially announce Richard Ashcroft as support act for UK and Ireland tour
Oasis have officially confirmed The Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft as the main support act for their upcoming UK and Ireland reunion tour in 2025.
Ashcroft has a storied history with Oasis, which charts back decades. Most notably, he was the inspiration behind the Oasis classic, ‘Cast No Shadow’. Ashcroft also provided backing vocals on the Oasis track, ‘All Around The World’, which appeared on Be Here Now.
During an interview in 1995 with Select, Noel Gallagher explained why he felt compelled to write ‘Cast No Shadow’ about Ashcroft, revealing, “I always felt he was born at the wrong time and in the wrong place, and he was always trying to say the right things, but they came out wrong.”
For Ashcroft, it was a great compliment to be the muse behind such an iconic piece of music. However, he believes the song doesn’t solely belong to him, telling MTV in 1997, “I think that’s a song for everyone, I don’t think it’s necessarily just for me because, without a doubt, it’s one of the best songs that he’s ever written in my book. Maybe, I’m a little bit biased. You can’t be anything other than honoured because he’s a great songwriter. Amazing songwriter.”
The Verve first played with Oasis in 1993 back when both bands were unknown. Four years later, they supported Oasis for two shows at London’s Earls Court when Oasis were the biggest group in Britain, and The Verve were firmly en route to join them at the top. Additionally, in 1995, the two iconic acts shared a bill in Paris at The Bataclan.
As a solo artist, Ashcroft supported Liam Gallagher at Finsbury Park in 2018, and they also collaborated on the track, ‘C’mon People (We’re Making It Now)’.
Although Oasis have only just officially announced Ashcroft as their support, Liam has heavily hinted at his involvement on social media. In September, a fan on X asked if Ashcroft would be supporting Oasis in the United Kingdom in 2025, Liam was responsive to the idea, replying, “That would be BIBLICAL”.
Furthermore, writing on X on October 4th, Liam said: “Just spoke to the CHEF here it is OASIS RICHARD ASHCROFT CAST you are welcome see you nxt year I’m of to to identify as a massive cunt LG x”
After Oasis were criticised for the expensive ticket prices, in another post made during the same evening, Liam claimed, “Cast the 1 n only Richard ashcoft and us shit cunts that’s worth 98 grands worth of any bumblebees not so hard earned cash”.
At this stage, Cast are still yet to be officially announced for the tour, but Liam’s series of posts on X suggest that the Liverpudlian band will be joining Ashcroft on the line-up.
In a new statement, Ashcroft said of his involvement on the reunion tour: “As a fan from day one I was buzzing for many reasons when the news of Oasis’s return was announced. I can say with no exaggeration that the songwriting talent of Noel and Liam’s pure spirit as a lead singer helped to inspire me to create some of my best work.”
The former Verve frontman continued: “It was the perfection of ‘Live Forever’ that forced me to try and write my own. They dared to be great, made the dreams we had real and I will always remember those days with joy. Now it’s time to create more memories and I’m ready to bring it. See you next summer. Music is power.”
When is the Oasis UK and Ireland tour?
The run of shows will begin with a two-date residency at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff starting on July 4th before Oasis return home to Manchester to perform five shows at Heaton Park.
The Manchester icons are also booked to headline five initial dates at Wembley Stadium in London as well as host three concerts at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. Additionally, the Gallagher’s will visit Ireland for a pair of concerts at Dublin’s Croke Park in August.
Following the conclusion of their North American tour, Oasis will then return to the United Kingdom again in September for two final shows at Wembley Stadium, bringing their total of shows at the national stadium to seven.
Oasis UK and Ireland tour dates:
July 2025
- 4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
- 5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
- 11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
- 12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
- 16th – Manchester, Heaton Park
- 19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
- 20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
- 25th – London, Wembley Stadium
- 26th – London, Wembley Stadium
- 30th – London, Wembley Stadium
August 2025
- 3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
- 8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
- 9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
- 12th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
- 16th – Dublin, Croke Park
- 17th – Dublin, Croke Park
September 2025
- 18th – London, Wembley Stadium
- 27th – London, Wembley Stadium
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