Richard Ashcroft has suggested that the members of Oasis be knighted.
- READ MORE: Oasis live in Cardiff: a supersonic reunion for a new generation
The former Verve frontman recently sat down with The Guardian to discuss his support slot on the landmark ‘Live ’25’ shows, where he played alongside Liam and Noel Gallagher in a string of record-breaking UK gigs.
Ashcroft said over the summer, he’d seen younger fans “getting introduced to your Bitter Sweets via cover versions and TikTok”, echoing recent comments about the tour being a “real catalyst” for young fans.
Ashcroft has a long history with Oasis, having served as the inspiration for their 1995 song ‘Cast No Shadow’. One of Liam and Noel’s first national tours was as the support act for The Verve back in 1993, ahead of their 1994 debut album ‘Definitely Maybe’.
In 1995, The Verve opened for Oasis at The Bataclan in Paris before featuring as special guests at Scotland’s Irvine Beach. Ashcroft later provided backing vocals on Oasis’ single ‘All Around The World’ from 1997’s ‘Be Here Now’.
With their cultural cachet at an all-time high, Ashcroft was asked by the publication if he, like musicians including Elton John, Paul McCartney and Rod Stewart, might become a Sir for his part on their reunion trek.
Revealing he’d previously been invited to Windsor Castle to meet the queen, he said people who are knighted “used to have acted in the greatest films of all time”.
“These days,” he reasoned, “you’re like: ‘Fucking hell? What has he done?’ There are people who give their lives to ensure society doesn’t crumble who never get recognised. Recognising people who are getting paid for their passion can be distasteful.
“Why should you get the cold steel on your shoulder just because you run around a track or jump over some hurdles? So, no. I firmly believe you will never hear that moment – even though Sir Richard has a great ring to it.”
Turning his attention to the Gallaghers, he asked: “Where are Sir Liam and Sir Noel? Who else has brought billions into the economy this summer?”
Back in 2023, NME sat down with Noel for our In Conversation series to talk about the creation of ‘Council Skies’. With that conversation falling on the coronation of King Charles. No, he wasn’t invited. “I’ve never met a royal,” shrugs Gallagher. “Morrissey? He counts as a royal, I suppose – and [Echo & The Bunnymen’s] Ian McCulloch, he’s royalty.”
Asked if any royal honours had ever been offered his way, he said he “wouldn’t have thought so”.
“I’d have thought that if I get the gong, you can pretty much say that they’ve been devalued,” he quipped. “I wouldn’t mind being the Duke of Manchester. If there’s any of that shit knocking about, that would be good. I went to a party at some fucking posh gaffe on New Year’s Eve, and it was at a stately home. This guy said to me, ‘Where do I recognise you from?’ And I said, ‘I’m the Duke of Manchester!’ His wife said, ‘He fucking wrote ‘Wonderwall’, you idiot’.”
He went on to ponder what the title might give him to right to do, and said, “without question” that Johnny Marr should be “fucking elevated alongside me.”
“We would be The Dukes Of Manchester. Write that down – that’s a fucking premise for a TV series, that. Two Mancunians driving around Manchester, solving local crime in a fucking Gregg’s bakery van.”
Ashcroft released his new LP ‘Lovin’ You’ last month, with the long-awaited album accompanied by news of a string of solo dates to tour the record.
He is due to play a run of solo headline arena dates early next year, following a concert at Manchester’s Co-op Live in November. Due to high demand, Ashcroft went on to add a handful of new shows to the tour last summer, which now includes stops in Glasgow, Birmingham, and Newcastle.
In September, Ashcroft also announced details of a stop at London’s Alexandra Palace Park, and shortly afterwards revealed huge summer show at Englefield Estate.
Visit here for tickets and see all Richard Ashcroft’s dates below:
Richard Ashcroft’s 2025/2026 UK headline dates are:
NOVEMBER 2025
8 – Co-op Live, Manchester
MARCH 2026
24 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff
26 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
28 – The O2, London
31 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
APRIL 2026
2 – First Direct Arena, Leeds
4 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
6 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle
JULY 2026
17 – Alexandra Palace Park, London
24 – Englefield Estate, Berkshire
Elsewhere, Richard Ashcroft has said he’s only seen Liam Gallagher on stage during the Oasis reunion tour: “The guy has been so disciplined”.
