The setting is the beautiful Westonbirt arboretum, Gloucestershire. With the Sun setting and the temperature cooling to a balmy 16 degrees after the high heat we have had it felt good, the several thousand crowd were donning coats and moving towards the stage. With the slight smell of ‘herb’ in the air you felt the expectation that Richard Ashcroft was about to come on stage.
Earlier that day….
Apollo Junction kicked things off with a burst of Leeds‑bred indie energy. The five‑piece have often been lined up alongside the new wave of Britpop revivalists, and you could feel why — big choruses, confident swagger, and a crowd that was more than happy to jump on board. They definitely connected with the audience, even if their particular flavour didn’t quite hit my sweet spot. Still, as an opener, they set a lively tone for the night.
Tom Meighan exploded onto the stage like a man returning to claim his throne. You could spot his supporters instantly, a sea of ‘Meighan’ and ‘Kasabian’ shirts dotted across the crowd, already buzzing before he’d sung a note.
The band were razor‑sharp, Tom was electric, and together they delivered a set that felt huge, swaggering, loud, confident, and completely in command. He had the entire crowd eating out of his hand, every chorus turning into a full‑throttle sing‑along. The energy was relentless, the atmosphere was charged, and at times the whole thing had that unmistakable Oasis‑esque punch: big attitude, big sound, big moment.
Richard Ashcroft stepped out to a hero’s welcome, the moment everyone had been waiting for, and he delivered exactly what the night demanded. With that unmistakable northern swagger, he strode on stage and launched straight into a set that felt like a masterclass in songwriting, charisma, and pure presence.
Hit after hit rolled out, each one landing harder than the last. The crowd erupted for The Verve classics, belting out The Drugs Don’t Work, A Song for the Lovers, and of course Bitter Sweet Symphony, which turned the entire forest into one massive choir. His voice, timeless, rich, unmistakably Ashcroft, cut through the warm summer air, and the stunning forest backdrop made the whole thing feel almost cinematic.
With the trademark pout, the attitude, and that cool, effortless command, he delivered pure rock ’n’ roll. it was an unforgettable summer moment and the perfect way to close out the Summer Sessions.
A fantastic day and now, it’s time to find the car!
Words and Pictures by Leigh Bruin
