Summer Festival Profile: Richard Ashcroft to cap revival with headline appearance on first night of TRNSMT

Long revered as the voice behind some of the UK’s most enduring anthems, Ashcroft’s influence has found fresh amplification over the past year, riding the wave of renewed interest sparked by Oasis’s blockbuster return to the stage. That tour didn’t just reignite a fervour for live music; it cast a wider spotlight on the era’s defining figures, reminding audiences just how central Ashcroft has always been to its emotional core.

Now, with a catalogue that bridges The Verve’s sweeping melancholy and his own solo introspection, Ashcroft arrives in Glasgow as an artist whose resonance continues to evolve. Friday night at TRNSMT is shaping up to be a celebration of legacy, revival, and an enduring sense of connection between Ashcroft and Glasgow audiences.

I’ve been to every edition of TRNSMT at Glasgow Green and one of the standout moments from all the festival performances was a dazzling afternoon performance in 2019 from Richard Ashcroft, the voice of The Verve and a force of nature on stage for the last 26 years.

I asked TRNSMT promoter Geoff Ellis of DF Concert about Ashcroft’s enduring appeal, what makes him stand out from the crowd? “Richard Ashcroft stands out because he brought a real sense of scale and emotion to guitar music at a time when that wasn’t always the focus. As the frontman of The Verve, he combined introspective songwriting with real ambition, which is why songs like Bitter Sweet Symphony still feel so powerful now.

“He isn’t trend driven. He’s self-assured and singular. That combination of producing amazing music and personal conviction is what turns a frontman into an icon. People will definitely be able to feel that when he headlines.

“The Verve were hugely important in the 90s, and Ashcroft’s voice and songwriting is one of the main things people have carried forward today. Over three decades, he’s maintained a consistent identity without feeling stuck in the past and that’s a difficult balance to strike. There’s also a credibility there that hasn’t wavered.

“He’s never felt like he’s chasing relevance, which ironically is what keeps him relevant. From a live perspective, he still delivers performances that engage fans of The Verve and fans of him as a solo artist. It’s that ability to connect at scale is what sustains an audience over time.”

In recent years Ashcroft’s music has been discovered by younger audiences, driving a resurgence of interest in his live performances: “Younger audiences are drawn in because the music holds up on its own terms. Discovery might come through streaming or seeing him share a stage with artists like Liam Gallagher, but once they hear the songs, they don’t feel dated.

“There’s a timeless quality to his songwriting and a directness in how it’s delivered. Hearing his songs live creates an immediate connection, even for people encountering him for the first time.”

What example does he set for the next generation of music acts? “He sets an example of longevity through belief in your own identity and a genuine love for his craft. His career shows that if you build your work around strong songwriting and a clear sense of who you are, you don’t need to constantly reinvent yourself to stay meaningful.

“There’s also an emphasis on the live experience. He knows how to translate songs into moments that resonate with large audiences, and that’s where lasting careers are really built. Artists like Richard Ashcroft demonstrate that staying true to your core while consistently delivering at a high level is what ultimately creates something that endures.

“I’m really excited for Glasgow Green to experience his music alongside some amazing up-and-coming acts all in the one day.”

Friday at TRNSMT sees an intergenerational meeting of music big-hitters with Richard Ashcroft, Nile Rodgers and The Beta Band playing on the same day as the brilliant Wolf Alice and young Glasgow musician Dylan John Thomas.

The centrepiece of Glasgow’s summer of music, you can find out more about Pepsi Max presents TRNSMT festival here.