Richard Ashcroft to Support Oasis Reunion Tour of UK and Ireland

Richard Ashcroft is the first support act to be announced for Oasis’ much-anticipated reunion tour. The former Verve singer will join his sometime collaborators at the 19 shows in the UK and Ireland.

Ashcroft said in a statement:

As a fan from day one I was buzzing for many reasons when the news of Oasis’s return was announced. I can say with no exaggeration that the songwriting talent of Noel and Liam’s pure spirit as a lead singer helped to inspire me to create some of my best work. It was the perfection of Live Forever that forced me to try and write my own. They dared to be great, made the dreams we had real and I will always remember those days with joy. Now it’s time to create more memories and I’m ready to bring it. See you next summer. Music is power.

Oasis and the Verve’s relationship dates back to 1993, when Oasis opened for them on a UK tour, The Guardian notes. The Verve later returned the favor, and Oasis dedicated “Cast No Shadow” to “the genius of Richard Ashcroft” in the (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? liner notes.