There were tearful scenes on stage at The Lottery Winners’ album launch party after lead singer Thom Rylance spotted his old school teacher in the audience.
The frontman of the Wigan band started crying while talking about his struggles at school.
Thom explained that only one person ‘had ever believed in him’, pointing out his old teacher, a Mr Asbury, in the audience.
And while he walked to the back of the stage to wipe away his tears, the entire venue got to its feet to applaud the ‘life-changing’ teacher.
A visibly emotional Thom was comforted by fellow bandmate Katie Lloyd… who then also burst into tears.
ADVERTISEMENT
The star addressed the audience at St George’s Church in Tyldesley, where they hosted an intimate album launch party for their fifth studio release, Anxiety Replacement Therapy.
He said: “I didn’t do very well in the school environment. Didn’t really fit into that. ADHD Tommy Rylance.
ADVERTISEMENT
The standing ovation for Mr Asbury. Credit: Twitter, Lottery WinnersAn emotional Thom. Credit: Twitter, Lottery Winners
“They didn’t know what to do with me right. And I say that apart from one person actually, and he’s right there… Oh man I’m gonna cry.
“The only person that ever believed in me is sat right there.”
At this point, while Thom takes a moment to recoup with his bandmates, a standing ovation begins for the teacher in the crowd.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Mr Asbury, my music teacher,” he continued. “Never gave up on me, and he gave me a bass guitar, and I didn’t know what the f*** it was, and he was like ‘You’re in the big band son, got and get it.’
When you spot the person that is responsible for you being a musician at your album launch gig to maybe get a number 1 album, it all gets a bit emotional.
Rick, Mr. Asbury, Sir. Thank you for believing in me when nobody else did. You showed me my purpose in life.
“And I’ve never looked back, and it changed my life. So thank you, sir. Thank you so much.
“Now I’m crying again! In church!”
Since sharing the beautiful video on their social media channels, some seriously heartwarming messages have been flooding in.
One person wrote: “And this is why we love you. The honesty, and the inspiration for all of the other #ADHD kids who are and have been failed by the education system.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Another said: “Ah man, dusty in here isn’t it! Beautiful moment. You never forget a good teacher and they may never know the impact they can have. Mr. Asbury, well done.”
On Instagram, someone commented: “So wholesome. This is why the arts are so important in school. Some of us just don’t mesh well with maths, and that. Our paths to what we see as success in life can look so different to most, especially when neurodivergent. We need more like Mr Asbury.”
The Lottery Winners released three albums in quick succession during lockdown, with their latest release, Anxiety Replacement Therapy, racing towards the number one spot.
The Leigh-formed indie group are currently leading the charge to the top of the UK Albums Chart, ahead of heavyweights like Jessie Ware and The National.
They’re also performing a huge gig at the O2 Apollo in Manchester on 1 December, with tickets on sale now.
Featured image: The Lottery Winners
Audio
Kasabian announce huge Manchester gig on upcoming arena tour
Daisy Jackson
Kasabian have just announced a massive gig here on Manchester as part of a new arena tour.
The indie rock legends will be performing at four of the UK’s biggest venues this November in support of their newly-released album Happenings.
The news follows their triumphant, secret set at Glastonbury’s Woodsies Stage last weekend.
Kasabian have also announced that they’ll be supported by The Streets on their tour, including their show in Manchester.
The group, now fronted by Serge Pizzorno after the sacking of frontman Tom Meighan in 2020, will be heading to the Co-op Live arena.
The four shows will also see the four-piece perform in Birmingham, Glasgow and London.
As well as releasing Happenings this week, and that secret Glastonbury set, Kasabian are about to top off their week with a massive hometown gig at Leicester’s Victoria Park.
Happenings has already received rave reviews, including being named Album Of The Week by The Guardian.
It’s the follow-up to 2022’s chart-topping The Alchemist’s Euphoria, and is a short-but-sweet, 10-track, 28 minute and 51 second album that veers from dance floor to mosh pit.
Kasabian will perform at the Co-op Live Manchester on Saturday 16 November. Tickets go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 10 July, with pre-sale now live for Co-op Members.
Kasabian 2024 tour dates
Saturday 6 July – Leicester, Victoria Park
Monday 22 July – Bristol, O2 Academy
Tuesday 23 July – Bournemouth, O2 Academy
Friday 26 July – Latitude Festival
Friday 8 November – Birmingham, BP Pulse Live
Saturday 9 November – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
Friday 15 November – London, The O2
Saturday 16 November – Manchester, Co-op Live
Featured image: Publicity picture
Audio
Co-op Live and TfGM extends FREE tram travel scheme for event ticket-holders
Emily Sergeant
A groundbreaking scheme offering free tram travel to all Co-op Live event ticket-holders has now been extended.
The Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) initiative – which was announced back in March ahead of the massive new arena’s long-awaited opening, and is the first of its kind in the UK – has already seen thousands of ticket holders get to make the most of integrated travel across a Manchester‘s Metrolink tram network over the last couple of months.
When announced, the popular scheme initially applied to anyone who had tickets to events at Co-op Live between 20 April and 30 June.
But now, TfGM has announced that the scheme will continue until the end of this month (July 2024).
Co-op Live and TfGM has extended its free tram travel scheme for event ticket-holders / Credit: Bee Network / TfGM
As part of Co-op Live’s “ongoing commitment to sustainable travel” – which is funded by the venue – the continuation of the initiative means that fans with a valid arena event ticket can use the Metrolink from four hours before, and up to four hours after (depending on the timing of each show), to allow people to travel at a time that’s most convenient to them.
The initiative will remain active across all four Metrolink zones.
The two organisations say the scheme has been been extended because integrated tram travel with all event tickets offers a sustainable alternative to driving, and ensures that fans can make a quick and easy getaway at the end of the night, whether they’re heading back home or into the city centre.
We’re delighted to confirm that Co-op Live ticket holders will continue to enjoy integrated tram travel until the end of July 2024 across the full Metrolink service four hours before and after each event.@BeeNetworkhttps://t.co/imSWuXoaDspic.twitter.com/0k6XWBxM7z
“We’re over the moon to see the positive results of our collaborative sustainable travel initiative with TfGM, and very pleased to be able to extend the offer of integrated tram travel until the end of July,” commented Rebecca Kane Burton, who is Co-op Live’s Interim General Manager, on the scheme extension announcement.
“Alongside recent partnership announcements, it further cements our dedication to give back to the planet, to our local community, and to our fans.”