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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.”
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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
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Kings of Leon announce Manchester arena show on short run of UK dates
Daisy Jackson
Kings of Leon have just announced a short run of UK shows for next year, which includes an arena gig here in Manchester.
The multi-Grammy Award-winning rock band will be performing at the Co-op Live arena, along with two other British dates in Leeds and Glasgow.
Kings of Leon are one of the biggest alternative rock bands in the world, and never fail to sell out arenas in Manchester when they perform here.
The group of brothers (plus one cousin) have headlined some of the world’s most iconic festivals, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza, as well as reclaiming an all-time attendance record with a fifth night at Hyde Park in London last year.
Kings of Leon have been dominating charts for more than 20 years, ever since the release of their debut album Youth & Young Manhood in 2003.
They now have nine studio albums, including last year’s Can We Please Have Fun, which (as with all their albums so far) comfortably reached the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.
The band is made up of Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill, and just last week they dropped an EP with four new songs.
Now, it’s another brief run of live shows for the UK, with Kings of Leon performing at Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 4 July 2026.
Tickets for Kings of Leon in Manchester will go on sale from 9am on Friday 21 November, and you can get yours HERE.
Pulp announce epic Live from Wythenshawe Park gig, with support from Self Esteem
Daisy Jackson
Pulp have been announced as the latest headliners of next year’s Live from Wythenshawe Park gig series – and they’re bringing a very special guest along to support.
The legendary Sheffield band will be joined by fellow Sheffielders Self Esteem for the outdoor summer show.
The news of Pulp’s epic gig in Wythenshawe Park follows a run of live reunion shows this year and the release of More, their first album in 24 years.
Jarvis Cocker, Candida Doyle, Nick Banks, Mark Webber, and their collaborators will bring their electric live show to Manchester in summer 2026.
This will be the only chance to see Pulp perform outdoors up north next year.
Their announcement concludes the line-up for Live from Wythenshawe Park, which now consists of The Cure, Lewis Capaldi, Courteeners, The Prodigy and Pulp across five nights in August.
Pulp have announced an epic Live from Wythenshawe Park gig, with support from Self Esteem
Founded in the late 1970s in Sheffield, Pulp have become one of Britain’s best-loved bands and proudest exports, from Common People and Disco 2000 to This Is Hardcore.
Pulp with be joined at Wythenshawe Park by Self Esteem, the critically-acclaimed fearless pop project of Rebecca Lucy Taylor.
Pulp will play Live From Wythenshawe Park on Friday 28 August 2026, with tickets going on general sale on Friday 21 November at 10am HERE.
There’s also a pre-sale live on Wednesday if you sign up HERE.
Live from Wythenshawe Park 2026 line-up
Friday 21 August – The Cure (Sold Out) Saturday 22 August – Lewis Capaldi (Sold Out) Friday 28 August – Pulp (Just Announced) Saturday 29 August – Courteeners (Sold Out) Sunday 30 August – The Prodigy (Last Remaining Tickets)
Daisy Jackson -
2nd May 2023 
