Manc music veteran Richard Ashcroft has big hopes for the upcoming season of live music at Wigan’s Robin Park, insisting that gigs like his self-titled double bill could help his hometown become “a focal point music for the first time in years”.
The former Verve frontman turned successful solo artist was speaking to host Anna Jameson on BBC Radio Manchester earlier this week when he explained just how big a deal this series of Wigan concerts could be for the area.
Beyond the likes of himself, his former band, The Lathums and Railway Children, to name just a few, there aren’t too many notable music names to have come out from the WN postcode – but that isn’t to say there isn’t plenty of talent and potential to do so.
Bigging up the borough as an “amazing place” that’s perhaps sometimes overlooked, he’s keeping his fingers crossed that Mancs and people from all over the region, including the local council, can “get right behind” the upcoming calendar of Wigan concerts to shine the spotlight on it once again.
As he goes on to tell Jameson, he envisions this going on to become a platform for new, up-and-coming artists not only from Wigan but across Greater Manchester, insisting that “there’ll be this week where young bands play venues, bigger bands come” and so on, giving grassroots something “to build to”.
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Noting that the foundations have already been lain with this first lot of gigs, with the likes of fellow natives The Stanleys and Maxwell Varey named as two of Richard Ashcroft‘s warm-up acts this summer, alongside more well-known outfits like Cast and The Zutons.
In the middle of the pack, you also have rising Scouse stars Red Rum Club and The Royston Club from Wrexham, who are also making plenty of waves, so it looks like the groundwork is very much there.
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There are a variety of other gigs at Robin Park as the area looks to emulate the early success seen from similar bookings over in Wythenshawe like Noel Gallagher’s headliner in 2023 and in Wigan later this year, as well as Blossoms’ mini-festival.
The 52-year-old believes his shows among the others at Robin Park this summer could leave a “legacy” and give something for people to look back on and remember it as a moment in which, “for the first time in years, Wigan became a focal point for music” in the North and across the country.
Speaking to ITV earlier this week also, the Britpop legend admitted that despite coming up in the same era as the likes of The Stone Roses and Oasis, not to mention in such close proximity, those figures always seemed “larger than life” but that it’s an honour to go back home on such a big scale.
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It’s been over two and a half decades since he and The Verve played their iconic Haigh Hall gig to more than 33,000 locals and the two Robin Park gigs on 20-21 July are set to be on an equally massive scale.
You can still try and grab tickets and listen to the rest of his interview on BBC Sounds HERE.
Featured Images — BBC Radio Manchester/Ed Webster (via Flickr)
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Liam Gallagher says Co-op Live is ‘up there’ with Madison Square Garden
Danny Jones
Manc music legend Liam Gallagher has had his say on Co-op Live after his first two visits to the brand new arena, saying it is on a par with Madison Square Garden.
We had the privilege of going along to review Gallagher’s opening night in Manchester at the newest and biggest music venue and it definitely lived up to the billing – Liam certainly seemed to think so too.
He might have joked that he’d happily play a local Lidl if the building wasn’t ready in time amidst their admittedly chaotic opening week, but now he’s been in there and blown the roof of it, it turns out he was just as blown away by as it we were.
Hopping on social media after night two of his Definitely Maybe 30th-anniversary shows, the 51-year-old is “up there with [New York’s] MSG in my opinion as you were LG x”.
That new MCR arena is up there with NY MSG in my opinion as you were LG x
Being mentioned in the same breath as one of the most iconic venues not just in the US but the world is no mean feat, especially having only been open for a month. Quite the glowing review indeed.
Reacting to the review online as well, the venue said just as much, responding to his post by adding: “High praise from a legend”.
Having now graced both state-of-the-art venues – playing Madison Square Gardens with the band back in the day and now Co-op Live as a solo artist (even if it was basically an Oasis gig minus Noel) – we think it’s fair to say he can speak with some pretty good authority on the subject.
For context, Madison Square Garden was built all the way back in 1968 and after multiple renovations over the years, it has a max gig capacity of 20,000; in contrast, Co-op Live tops out at roughly 23,500 people and is now the largest indoor entertainment venue in all of Europe.
Liam Gallagher still has another pair of Manchester shows left to play at Co-op Live later this month and you can find our full gig guide HERE.
What about you lot: for those of you who’ve had the pleasure of visiting Manchester’s shiny new venue, how was it compared to your favourite all-time gig spaces?
Hey, there’s still time for Lidl to step up their game too…
Paul McCartney named as the latest act to join Co-op Live lineup for 2024
Danny Jones
The inaugural Co-op Live event calendar just keeps getting bigger and better as the one and only Paul McCartney is coming to Manchester’s newest arena.
Yes, the bloke from that Rihanna and Kanye ‘FourFiveSeconds’ tune back in 2015 really has gone on to be “huge“…
In all seriousness, The Beatles legend, Wings frontman and songwriting veteran is one of the most important musicians in history and with a wealth of solo material to his name, the 81-year-old is coming to Manchester later this year.
Set to bring his cleverly named ‘Got Back’ tour (a nod to the iconic Beatles track which also served as the title for their 2021 documentary) to Co-op Live during the festive period, feel free to consider this an early Christmas present.
JUST ANNOUNCED: PAUL McCARTNEY 🇬🇧 The iconic @PaulMcCartney brings his 'Got Back' tour to Manchester on 14 and 15 December 2024. Find out more > https://t.co/x5wId7GPbT
With a singer-songwriter career spanning over half a century alone, Paul McCartney is and always will be one of the most influential names in music ever.
Having helped write not only British and global classics like ‘Hey Jude’, ‘Live and Let Die’, ‘Band on the Run’, ‘Let It Be’ and literally countless other hits that will make up his 2024 setlist, the North West-born musician and Liverpool icon would need a dozen Manc dates to get through the bulk of his discography.
You’ll have to make do with two but we love a double-bill.
It’s your chance to see a living legend at the biggest indoor entertainment venue right here in Manchester – you’d be a fool not to at least try for a ticket.
Speaking on the announcement, he said: “I’m excited to be ending my year and 2024 tour dates in the UK. It’s always such a special feeling to play shows on our home soil.
“It’s going to be an amazing end to the year. Let’s get set to party. I can’t wait to see you.”
Presale tickets for Paul McCartney’s Co-op Live two shows on 14 and 15 December go on sale at 10am on Wednesday, 19 June for Co-op members and general admission will be available from the same time on Friday, 21 June.
Danny Jones -
1st May 2024 
