Richard Ashcroft - Live

Cardiff Castle - 16th July 2026

Story by Tony Cunningham

18/07/2026

Some artists spend years chasing the perfect greatest hits set. Richard Ashcroft already had one in his back pocket, and at Cardiff Castle he reminded thousands exactly why his catalogue remains one of British indie's finest.

Headlining Depot Live, the former The Verve frontman delivered a triumphant, hit-filled performance that balanced swagger with heartfelt emotion against the backdrop of one of the UK's most spectacular outdoor venues. There was little time wasted before the nostalgia kicked in. Opening with Sonnet, Weeping Willow and Space And Time, Ashcroft's unmistakable voice effortlessly filled the castle grounds, proving it has lost none of its warmth or power over the years. The set shifted seamlessly between his celebrated solo career and the songs that made him an indie icon. A Song For The Lovers and Break The Night With Colour were greeted like old friends, their singalong choruses echoing around the historic walls as fans soaked up every moment. If there was any doubt about where the evening was heading, the closing stretch erased it completely. The Drugs Don't Work brought a wave of emotion across the crowd before Lucky Man and the euphoric C'mon People (We're Making It Now) built towards the inevitable finale. As the unmistakable strings of Bitter Sweet Symphony rang out, Cardiff Castle became one enormous choir, with thousands of voices carrying one of British music's defining anthems into the summer night. Support came from former Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan, whose explosive, high-octane performance threatened to steal the show with a set packed full of swagger and relentless energy. Earlier, Yorkshire indie favourites Apollo Junction got the evening off to an impressive start, proving more than capable of warming up an already eager crowd. With another unforgettable headline performance added to an already stellar summer programme, Depot Live at Cardiff Castle continues to cement its reputation as one of the UK's premier outdoor concert series.