It has been a while since I covered a gig. This was a really special one with it being at The Piece Hall in Halifax, U.K. on Friday, August 2nd. A beautiful old cloth hall, which is around 250 years old! There was a really great presence about the space. It had an ethereal vibe to it – which worked really well with Richard Ashcroft’s mix of songs.
The weather was muggy. The show was full of people from all over the U.K. The space was really well organized, and the staff were amazing. There were designated areas for VIPS and people were waiting patiently in long lines to get a drink. Even the balcony area in this beautiful space was utilized really well. People could watch the show from a great height.
I always loved The Verve as a kid
Richard Paul Ashcroft is an English musician, singer, and songwriter. He formed the alternative rock band The Verve in 1989 and served as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist throughout the band’s lifetime. Ashcroft was the sole songwriter of the group.
“Sonnet” being one of my favourites from this time-along, with “Drugs Don’t Work”. The crowd engagement with “Sonnet” was really special and a highlight of the evening .
Ashcroft was pitch perfect. The songs performed were nostalgic and pretty close to the recordings. TV screens were place behind Ashcroft, showing images of current affairs and star lit forests, giving it a unique visual impact.
Supporting Ashcroft, we had Apollo Junction. They served well as a support act. Apollo Junction are a band on the rise having just delivered their third (and best) album Here We Are and embarking on their biggest ever U.K. tour.
The band have a passionate, growing fanbase that call themselves the ‘AJFamily’ – there’s been engagements on stage, lifetime friendships formed, coaches to gigs hired and an online community that is pretty much unmatched by any other independent band around at the moment and incredibly welcoming to all.
The band – described recently by Steve Lamacq on BBC6 music as swaggering electro indie rock – appeal to audiences who still have a profound love of guitar music, with nods to the iconic sounds of the ‘80s as well as more contemporary guitar band peers.
Richard Ashcroft has announced a string of performances across the UK in summer 2024
Be sure to check them out :
Richard Ashcroft has announced a string of performances across the UK in summer 2024, including shows as part of the Margate Summer Series, Forest Live, Kew The Music, Heritage Live and Live At The Piece Hall and two special homecoming shows in Wigan in July.
The Piece Hall / Ashcroft
The Piece Hall
Takes me back
To a world
Of cloth
And sweat
And heat and workhouses
Work horses and carts
Rolls and rolls of patterns
And sweatshops and candles
Ready to wear suits
In windows
Stages
Performance
Food
Festivals of light
Of life
People dancing
Passing by
In the night
It flows smoothly
Smiles that linger
Pushing through crowds
Politely
Tonight was a good show
To capture Ashcroft
His bitter sweet symphony
Of sounds
Like a lullaby
Taking me back
To 1997
Heaven
Loved up
Skinny jeans
And cassette tapes
All at once I feel alive
Taking pictures
Storing pictures
Digitally and in my mind
Listening to the people
Their special night out
She had her hair done
Left the kids at home
And I feel free
All at once
In Halifax
We dance
To Ashcroft’s melodies
As he stands in front of TV screens
Lit with light
