Richard Ashcroft will support Oasis at every Live ’27 date. He played the same role on Live ’25, with a 40 minute set before the band. His Cardiff set is the best guide to what 2027 will sound like.
Ashcroft is the former frontman of The Verve. He has released six solo albums, and Urban Hymns remains his defining record with the band. No other support act is confirmed for Live ’27.
The set he played in Cardiff
Ashcroft took the stage at 7pm on 4 July 2025 in Cardiff. He played for about 40 minutes at the Principality Stadium. Oasis followed just over an hour later.
He opened with Sonnet, from The Verve’s 1997 album Urban Hymns. He then played Space and Time, A Song for the Lovers and Break the Night with Colour. The Drugs Don’t Work, Lucky Man and Bitter Sweet Symphony closed the set.
The crowd sang along through the closing songs. The Drugs Don’t Work drew a mass singalong in the stadium. Bitter Sweet Symphony ended the set on the biggest note of the night.
The songs behind the set
Five of the seven songs come from Ashcroft’s years with The Verve. Sonnet, Space and Time, The Drugs Don’t Work, Lucky Man and Bitter Sweet Symphony all date from that band. Urban Hymns, released in 1997, holds Sonnet, The Drugs Don’t Work and Bitter Sweet Symphony.
The Drugs Don’t Work gave The Verve a UK Number 1 single. Bitter Sweet Symphony became the era defining single from Urban Hymns. Lucky Man and Sonnet both grew into crowd anthems on the Live ’25 run.
A Song for the Lovers opened his solo career. It was his first solo single, and it reached Number 3 in the UK in 2000. Break the Night with Colour followed as a solo single in 2006, and it also reached Number 3.
His first solo album, Alone with Everybody, reached Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart. That record opened with A Song for the Lovers. The Cardiff set drew on both halves of his career, Verve anthems and solo songs side by side.
The mix suits the support slot. Verve anthems lift the stadium, and solo songs show his range as a songwriter. The set runs from quiet ballads to the biggest chorus of the night.
How the support slot worked on Live ’25
Cast and Ashcroft shared the support bill on the UK and Ireland dates. Cast played first, and Ashcroft followed as the second support act. Oasis then took the stage at 8.15pm at Wembley.
Ashcroft played at 7pm in Cardiff, just over an hour before Oasis took the stage. His set ran for about 40 minutes. The timing gave fans a full warm up before the main set.
Oasis played an almost fixed 23 song set on Live ’25. Hello opened the set, and Champagne Supernova closed it. Ashcroft’s shorter set set the mood for that run, with his biggest songs last.
What the set tells us about 2027
No official setlist exists for Live ’27. Any talk of the 2027 set stays labelled predicted. The Live ’25 set is the best guide fans have.
Expect the same core in 2027. Sonnet should open the set again, and Bitter Sweet Symphony should close it. The middle of the set can change, but the bookends look settled.
No stage time has been confirmed for Live ’27 yet. Fans should check each venue listing closer to the show. Arrive early if you want the full support set, since late arrivals missed the opener in Cardiff.
He supported Oasis at all UK and Ireland dates on Live ’25. Cast shared the support bill on those dates. Only Ashcroft is confirmed for every Live ’27 date so far.
Who else could support Live ’27
No other support act is confirmed for Live ’27. Liam Gallagher ruled out Fontaines D.C. in October 2026, saying they were not good enough to open. The band has not named any other support since.
That leaves Ashcroft as the only confirmed support. Fans should treat any other support name as unconfirmed until the band says so. The lineup page tracks what is confirmed and what is not.
What it means for fans
Arrive early to catch the full support set. Ashcroft played for about 40 minutes on Live ’25, and late arrivals missed the opener. His set sets the mood for the night.
The tour spans 42 shows and 11 cities, from 21 May to 26 September 2027. It opens in Glasgow and closes at Knebworth. Richard Ashcroft plays every date on that run.
Frequently asked questions
Is Richard Ashcroft supporting Oasis at every Live ’27 date?
Yes. Ashcroft is the special guest at every Live ’27 date. He also supported the UK and Ireland dates on Live ’25.
What songs did Richard Ashcroft play on Live ’25?
His Cardiff set ran to seven songs. He opened with Sonnet, then played Space and Time and A Song for the Lovers. Break the Night with Colour followed, and The Drugs Don’t Work, Lucky Man and Bitter Sweet Symphony closed the set.
How long is Richard Ashcroft’s support set?
His Cardiff set ran for about 40 minutes. No stage time has been confirmed for Live ’27 yet.
Will Cast support Oasis on Live ’27?
That is not confirmed. Cast supported the UK and Ireland dates on Live ’25 with Ashcroft. Only Ashcroft is confirmed for every Live ’27 date.