Richard Ashcroft fears lack of gigs will affect mental health

5 September 2020, 09:00

Richard Ashcroft performs Surprised by the Joy live for Radio X

The former Verve frontman has shared his thoughts on the power of music and the effects of lack of concerts during the coronavirus pandemic.

Richard Ashcroft fears that the lack of live gigs will lead to mental health problems among music-lovers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The former Verve frontman - whose Bitter Sweet Symphony topped Radio X's Top 100 of the 90s last week - has talked about the power of live music and the sense of community it brings.

Speaking to Radio X's George Godfrey he said: "You underestimate the power of music and if you take away that communal thing for too long, that’s a lot of energy built up.

“Because I’ve seen a lot of people crying at my gigs. Grown men. Crying and letting off steam and it’s a good thing.”

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Most of all, it's the ability to find a sense of community and let off steam that Ashcroft thinks is being lost in these times.

One of the key things of doing a gig for me is that key feeling of a communal spirit and like I say emotions being left there in the room.

“And that’s the same reason why people go to a football match or any great form of entertainment".

Richard Ashcroft plays Finsbury Park in 2018. Picture: Jon Mo Pictures

Sharing his sympathies for young artists especially, Ashcroft added: "It’s hard enough to be a young musician and make a living, but if you’re looking at not doing a gig for a year that’s crippling…”

However, it's in their fullest form that the These People singer wants to see live performances to return.

"We’ve gotta get back man," he said. "We’ve got to get back on stage. We’ve got to get sweaty audiences back together again all jumping up and down and enjoying life and feeling that sense of liberty and freedom and expression that you get from a concert.

“The sooner that comes back to this country and the world, the better shape that we’ll be in..."

QUIZ: Do you know the word's to The Verve's Bitter Sweet Symphony?

Ashcroft might not be that enthused about socially distanced gigs, but they could be our reality for a long while to come.

In August Sam Fender opened the Virgin Money Unity Arena - the UK's first socially distanced venue.

Find out how it looked and sounded here:

Inside the UK's first socially distanced gig with Sam Fender

The Hypersonic Missiles singer was absolutely buzzing to be playing a live show and for Newcastle to be taking the lead on finding a solution.

However, the North Shields artist also feared for the future of indie and guitar-based bands if venues can't open.

Asked what grassroots venues mean for him in particular, the Play God singer replied: "My career simply wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for small venues. I cut my teeth on those gigs. And they’re legendary, those places. There’s something really magic about being an up and coming artist and you hear about the mythology of it all, like ’The Stone Roses played here years ago'..

“It’s an important part of our history, our musical history. And it’s an honour coming through the ranks when you’re a kid and I definitely wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them places. That’s where the grassroots fans - the people that started off with you - they’re the people that are essentially the foundations of your career."

He added: He added: "I think if you take away that it’s going to be hard for that type of music to break through. I think it’s going to be particularly bad for indie music to break through because we rely so much on live... It’s a live thing I think.

"Guitar music should be heard live”.