Richard Ashcroft battled in vain to get the Euro 2024 final shown on a big screen at his spectacular Kew the Music festival performance.
The former Verve frontman, 52, took to a stage at Kew Gardens and rattled through a string of his old band’s songs and solo classics in a gig that was moved forward so fans could get away in time to watch the England v Spain Euros final, which kicked off at 8pm on Sunday (13.07.24) – and saw the Three Lions lose 2–1.
Richard told the crowd as he kicked off his set at 6pm sharp: “We did our best to get it screened on a big screened here, but licensing laws and all that… we just couldn’t.”
He later swigged beers on stage and shouted: “Let’s get this party started… c’mon England”.
Richard posted on Instagram ahead of the gig: “To everyone who was coming down to my show at Kew Gardens Sunday doors will now be open at 5pm schedule stage time 6.15pm this will allow anyone with an interest in the England final to get somewhere to watch the game.
“My team tried to no avail to get the game screened on the day but for a number of reasons perhaps the ransacking of the Blue Peter garden or licensing we couldn’t make it happen see you down there. I’m off to Margate peace. RA.”
He sang beloved ‘The Verve’ classic ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ to round off his set, along with ‘Lucky Man’, ‘Sonnet’ and ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’.
His setlist also included a string of his best-known solo tracks, with the singer dedicating ‘A Song for the Lovers’ to rock ’n’ roll’s most iconic couples.
As he sang an epic rendition of the track, images of lovers including John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Bob Dylan and Joan Baez and Sid and Nancy flashed up behind him.
Richard’s gig rounded off a week of performances for Kew the Music, now considered one of London’s key summer festivals.
It kicked off on 9 July with Mika headlining and Passenger two days later.