An epic evening was pitched with Richard Ashcroft playing at Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Saturday, 27th June, 2026.  Supporting players Tom Meighan, Apollo Junction and DJ Wayne also brought their A-game.

It’s a hot & heady Saturday evening in the middle of summer and Scarborough’s Open Air Theatre is buzzing. There are white England football shirts everywhere due to the 10pm kick off of the final World Cup group game. What could possibly go wrong?

Turns out, nothing at all.

The stage is set for an epic night….

Leeds indie band Apollo Junction open proceedings, full of the exuberance of youth & blending 80’s synth heavy sounds with 90’s modern Brit pop. They are an excellent choice for the first support, as is DJ Wayne who is set up on stage between bands, playing a wonderfully eclectic mix of vinyl & CD, and creating the vibe for the evening.

After Tom Meighan was sensationally fired by Kasabian in 2020, it remained to be seen if he could cut it as a solo artist. Thankfully, he can. Bouncing around on stage, resplendent in white jacket & oversized white framed shades, Meighan is an absolute ball of energy, dropping the occasional F-bomb and having the time of his life. He delivers an energetic set that unashamedly leans heavily on classic Kasabian tracks such as Club Foot, Shoot The Runner & Fire. His solo material including Movin’ On stands up well next to his ex-band’s tracks, and he departs the stage having warmed up the crowd perfectly for Ashcroft.

The sun is behind the clouds now and the seagulls are swooping as the man himself swaggers on stage. With his familiar brooding look and the trademark dark sunglasses, Ashcroft opens his set with the atmospheric Weeping Willow. The ex-Verve front man sounds a touch croaky tonight but it doesn’t detract from his performance, moreover, it adds an extra layer of Northern grit.  Swiftly followed by the timeless classic, Sonnet, the audience is then treated to a strong 10-song set, most of which are extended versions & epic singalongs. All killer & zero filler. The band has unreal synergy and delivers a tight, punchy & accomplished performance.

Solo tracks Music Is Power, A Song For The Lovers and Break The Night With Colour have the crowd belting out the lyrics alongside iconic 90′ bangers from the defining album Urban Hymns. The Drugs Don’t Work (an incredible piece of songwriting) evokes not only memories of hedonistic times but genuine emotion as we reflect and remember lost loved ones.

Final tracks, Lucky Man & C’mon People proceed the inevitable and timeless classic Bittersweet Symphony, a song that epitomises the late 90’s more than any other. There is no better way to end the show.

High on Ashcroft’s gravelly yet melodious voice, the people head for the exits in search of the nearest screen to watch England v Panama (spoiler – we won 2-0). Thr perfect end to the perfect night.

Check out the rest of the season at TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre.

 

Mojo’s Interesting fact – The Brutal “Bitter Sweet Symphony” Battle

Ashcroft lost 100% of the songwriting credit and royalties for The Verve’s biggest hit due to an uncleared four-second orchestral sample of a Rolling Stones track. He famously had to surrender all publishing to ABKCO Records.

After 22 years of losing the royalties to a song he completely wrote, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, surprisingly and unconditionally, signed the full songwriting credits and future royalties back to Ashcroft in May 2019.