Richard Ashcroft has said that he told Noel Gallagher that he was "the only person" who could open for Oasis at their much anticipated reunion shows.
The former Verve frontman will be a special guest for all of Oasis' UK and Ireland reunion shows. He will open for the band at all five Wembley shows, as well as shows in Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin.
Speaking on Radio X, Richard Ashcroft detailed the conversation that he had with Noel Gallagher, where he stated that he was the only person who could open for the band at these shows.
“I see it as I’ve got a very important part to play in this,” Ashcroft said. “You know, back in the day Oasis supported The Verve and then it flipped around and we supported Oasis at Earls Court, then I as a solo artist have played with Oasis".
He continued: “I said to Noel, ‘You know, I think I’m the only person who could go in this slot. Especially for a huge outdoor show, because everyone wants you lot. And unless you’re coming with something, unless you’ve got something to offer, I don’t know what’s gonna happen’".
Richard Ashcroft and Oasis go back a long way, with Ashcroft having inspired Oasis' 1995 'Cast No Shadow'. He also offered backing vocals to Oasis' track ‘All Around The World’ from 1997’s ‘Be Here Now’.
Two years prior to that, The Verve were also supported by Liam and Noel Gallagher, as they promoted their 1994 album, 'Definitely Maybe'. The Verve also opened for Oasis at The Bataclan in Paris in 1995, as well as featuring as special guests at Scotland's Irvine Beach.
“I think it’s great that we’re still around. I’ve been there almost in that whole story together with them. Right from the day one. Before their album came out, first album, seen that. They were kind of like mega successful before I was. They were on Top Of The Pops. By the time it was my turn, it was like they’d been all over it", Ashcroft said.
“They sold millions of albums, blah, blah, blah, but the rarity of that, that you could have two bands, both in transits off playing to 300 people. Both saying, ‘We’re gonna do this.’ ‘No, no we’re gonna do that’. And for that to happen is incredible".
Ahead of these reunion shows, Richard Ashcroft who has remained close friends with the Gallagher brothers, released a brand new single, 'Lover'. Check that out and Nova's report here.
