Archive July 2, 2025

Richard Ashcroft announces huge career news just days before Oasis reunion tour

Richard Ashcroft is currently gearing up for the biggest stadium tour of the decade, but the legendary musician is continuing to keep himself busy with his latest record

Richard Ashcroft has shared huge career news

Richard Ashcroft isn’t slowing down anytime soon as he prepares to tour with Oasis. The Verve icon will be opening up for brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher on their mammoth stadium tour which kicks off in just a matter of days.

But while most people would be throwing themselves into rehearsals, Richard, 53, has been working on his first album in four years, following the release of his 2021 record, Acoustic Hymns, Vol. 1. Fans who are flooding to the likes of Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Manchester’s Heaton Park and Wembley Stadium will no doubt hear Richard perform some of his biggest hits.

Amidst the preparations for the most anticipated tour in music history, the northern legend has been working on Lovin’ You, which is slated for release on October 3. The new record opens with its first single, Lover, which is currently being played across the nation today.

Lovin' You is Richard's first album in four years
Lovin’ You is Richard’s first album in four years(Image: ©dean chalkley 2018)

The song fits into Joan Armatrading’s mega hit, Love And Affection, and has even been praised by the songwriter herself, who said: “I love how he’s sued my song and I love his song. “

But the huge track sets the bar for Richard, who is currently at the peak of his game. His forthcoming record will set the tone of his sound, from his acoustic ballads and euphoric indie-rock, while flashing through Americana, soul and electronic beats. But the album is inspired by intimate and personal themes, focusing heavily on love, romance and affecting messages of support for those who are currently battling challenging aspects of their lives.

In true Richard style, every song on his upcoming release has been written by him. He also co-produced the record with Chris Potter and Emre Ramazanoglu. One track, I’m A Rebel, has been co-written and produced by Mirwais, who is best known for working with Madonna, after first meeting the Queen of Pop in the late Ninties.

Lovin' You is available to pre-order now
Lovin’ You is available to pre-order now

Richard, who found fame as the founding member of The Verve, produced hits including Bitter Sweet Symphony and The Drugs Don’t Work, has amassed huge success as a solo artist, with all five of his solo albums landing in the Top 5 spots. Later this week, he and Oasis will take to the road, with their friendship spanning decades.

He’ll perform at all of the upcoming UK shows as a special guest, as well as his own headline show next month. Ahead of the first biblical Oasis gig on Friday, the Mirror revealed just days ago that the band, which includes Liam, Noel, new drummer Joey Waronker and guitarists Andy Bell, Gem Archer and Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, are gearing up to ensure they sound their best on the tour.

It comes just days before he takes to the road with old pals, Liam and Noel Gallagher
It comes just days before he takes to the road with old pals, Liam and Noel Gallagher(Image: PA)

A source told us: “With a new lineup and it being such a huge first show, the boys will do some songs inside the venue too. Some tours would start with a smaller show or take a week or two to get into the groove again. “

They went on to say that the brothers want each show to be “massive”. The source continued by saying: “But there is no time for that and also Liam and Noel want every night to be massive. ” Our insider went on to add: “This is such a huge comeback show and they are taking it very seriously. It all points to it being an incredible comeback tour. “

Where to see Richard live this summer:

July with Oasis

4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium (SOLD OUT)

5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium (SOLD OUT)

11th – Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)

12th – Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)

16th – Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)

19th – Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)

20th – Manchester, Heaton Park (SOLD OUT)

25th – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)

26th – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)

30th – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)

August with Oasis

2nd – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)

3rd – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)

8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)

9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)

12th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium (SOLD OUT)

16th – Dublin, Croke Park (SOLD OUT)

17th – Dublin, Croke Park (SOLD OUT)

23rd – Cornwall, Live At Scurrier House (HEADLINE SHOW)

September with Oasis

27th – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)

28th – London, Wembley Stadium (SOLD OUT)

‘Lovin’ You’ is now available to pre-order here. It will be released on standard black vinyl, CD and digital formats.

How to buy Oasis tickets now

Oasis tickets are available right now from a number of online retailers. This includes both official and resale websites.

Fans will likely want to peruse Ticketmaster’s wares first, as they have been touted as the original seller of the band’s tour tickets. However, the online media giant has not had any tickets for some time.

And, at the time of writing, only people with allocated codes can buy tickets. Regardless, here’s the link:

TICKETMASTER – Buy Oasis tickets here.

Otherwise, resale websites are where fans ought to be looking the most. Oasis have signposted Twickets as their official resale websites, however, they have not had tickets for a very long time.

As a result, fans have flocked to the likes of viagogo, Vivid Seats and StubHub instead. And, at the time of writing, some Oasis tickets are being sold for around £200 each on viagogo. Below, we have broken down all the options Oasis-lovers have to buy tickets right now. This ranges from official retailers to VIP sellers and resale websites.

viagogo and resale tickets

Sites such as viagogo, Stubhub, and Vivid Seats allow fans to buy resale tickets from other fans. However, it is important to note that ticket conditions often prohibit resale after initial purchase. Those tickets may not be valid for admittance to gigs.

Fans intending to buy tickets for live events through resale websites should check the ticket terms and conditions, to confirm whether resale is prohibited, before they buy. Ticket terms and conditions can be checked with the original seller, such as Ticketmaster or Live Nation. If resale is prohibited, tickets bought second-hand could be voided and admission to the event refused.

Here’s the links:

VIAGOGO – Buy Oasis tickets here.

VIVID SEATS – Buy Oasis tickets here.

STUBHUB – Buy Oasis tickets here.

TWICKETS – Buy Oasis tickets here.

Finally, there are also official tickets available from VIP and hospitality-based website Seat Unique. This retailer gives fans the absolute best chance of getting involved in Oasis’ tour dates this year.

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Putintseva wanted man removed for ‘political’ shouting

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World number 33 Yulia Putintseva has shed some light on the security concerns she raised during her first-round defeat at Wimbledon, saying a male spectator was “screaming” between her serves and that it was “political”.

The 30-year-old said “people nowadays are acting too crazy about many things” and she had wanted the umpire to “take him out” of the crowd.

Early on in Monday’s match against Amanda Anisimova, Putintseva described the fan as “crazy” and “dangerous” and later warned the umpire that “maybe he has a knife”.

Asked about the incident following her doubles defeat on Wednesday, the Russian-born Kazakhstani told BBC Sport: “I said it because the guy was saying something crazy. I feel like those people might be crazy, maybe not. Maybe it’s just my point of view. But I was just saying ‘just take him out’. “

She confirmed she did not know the man.

Pressed on what she had heard him saying, she said: “He was actually talking about, like, political stuff. And I’m really outside of the political so I don’t want anyone on my match, when they are coming to see tennis, saying anything political. “

The chair umpire spoke to members of security after Putintseva voiced her concerns, and a spokesperson for the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said the matter had been “dealt with”.

The club’s operations manager said security protocols were followed.

The BBC understands the spectator in question left the stands on court 15 of his own accord.

Asked if she thought it had been handled appropriately, Putintseva said: “I just think that people nowadays are acting too crazy about many things, and yeah, I think the security just have to be prepared.

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Woodland handed US Ryder Cup role two years after brain surgery

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Gary Woodland will be part of his first Ryder Cup in September – two years after undergoing brain surgery.

It will be in a non-playing role, with United States captain Keegan Bradley naming the 41-year-old as his fifth and final vice-captain for the 45th Ryder Cup, which will take place at the Bethpage Black course in New York from 25-28 September.

Woodland, who won the 2019 US Open, joins Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker as vice-captains on a US team aiming to regain the trophy after Europe claimed a 16½-11½ victory in Rome in 2023.

“Keegan’s passion for this event is contagious and I am thrilled to be a part of it,” Woodland said.

“With just over two months to go until we arrive at Bethpage, I am fully committed to doing everything I can to help Keegan as well as our team of vice-captains and players.”

Four-time PGA Tour winner Woodland represented his country in the 2019 Presidents Cup and recently received the PGA Tour Courage Award in recognition of his return to the sport after having surgery to remove a brain tumour in 2023.

His appointment could also take on greater importance given 39-year-old Bradley, who won the Travellers Championship last month and is ranked seventh in the world, is on course to become the first playing captain in a Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer in 1963.

“I have an incredible amount of respect and admiration for Gary and all he has accomplished in this game,” said Bradley.

“As a major champion and someone who is still competing at a high level, he is well aware of the demands of performing on golf’s biggest stages.

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Court Convicts Social Media Influencers For Naira Abuse In Oyo

Two social media influencers, Bukola Rufai and Abdulateef Jimoh, have been found guilty by justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court for using naira notes.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, the head of media and publicity, stated in a statement that the convicts were charged with a joint one-count mutilation by the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.

According to the charge, “You Bukola Arike Rufai and Abdulateef Ayinde Jimoh did match on Naira Notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria on or about September 25, 2024 in accordance with Section 21 (3) of the Central Bank Act 2007 and are guilty of an offense as per Section 21 (1) of the same Act.”

They pleaded “guilty” when the charge was brought, and the prosecution’s attorney, Lanre Suleiman, requested that the court find them guilty and sentence them accordingly. The court was instructed by the defense attorney, O. D. Ajadi, to temper justice with mercy, citing the pair’s history of first-degree retribution and remorse.

Justice Agomoh gave both offenders a 50 000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) option of fine each and found them guilty without a sentence.

Qualifier Tarvet impresses but cannot shock Alcaraz

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University student Ollie Tarvet was unable to create one of the biggest shocks in Wimbledon history as the Briton’s dream run came to an end against two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

The 21-year-old qualifier put up an entertaining fight – showing signs of his vast potential – but ultimately lost 6-1 6-4 6-4 on Centre Court.

Ranked 733rd in the world, Tarvet created 11 break points against the five-time Grand Slam champion.

But the Englishman – who studies in the United States – could only take two of those opportunities and never looked like seriously causing an upset.

“I want to give credit to Oliver – I love his game,” said second seed Alcaraz, who secured a 20th match win in a row.

“The level he played in his first match on Centre Court, which I know is difficult, was great.

“I knew I had to be really focused from the beginning. I’m happy with my performance.”

Tarvet’s run of four victories – three in qualifying and another in the first round proper – means he should be taking home prize money of £99,000.

However, he is only allowed to claim $10,000 (£7,290) in profit every year under American college rules, as well as any expenses incurred during the events.

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