Richard Ashcroft quits Tramlines Festival as it's a government Covid-19 test event

Richard Ashcroft has announced he has withdrawn from headlining Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival later this month because it’s part of the government's pilot events programme.

Last week, it was announced that Tramlines Festival will be going ahead at full 40,000 capacity at Hillsborough Park on the weekend of 23rd to 25th July without social distancing and masks.

Just like recent events including Download Pilot, The BRIT Awards and the Blossoms concert in Liverpool, Tramlines is part of the government’s Events Research Programme that MPs hope will provide "vital scientific evidence” about the spread of Covid-19 at large scale gatherings.

In a statement to fans on Instagram, former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft said he has quit Tramlines as he refuses to part of government research.

“Apologies to my fans for any disappointment but the festival was informed over 10 days ago that I wouldn’t be playing once it had become part of a government testing programme,” Ashcroft wrote.

“I had informed my agent months ago I wouldn’t be playing concerts with restrictions. The status of the festival was one thing when I signed up for it, but sadly was forced to become something else. It must be an age thing but the words Government Experiment and Festival.”

Ashcroft then added three laughing emojis and the hashtags #naturalrebel #theydontownme in reference to his 2018 album ‘Natural Rebel’ and 2016 song ‘They Don’t Own Me.’

A separate statement on Ashcroft’s Twitter account reads: “Richard wishes to confirm that in spite of the publicity issued by the Tramlines organisers he is not appearing at the Tramlines festival on July 24. He does not understand why he is billed as appearing.

“Once he was advised that he could only appear subject to certain Government restrictions he immediately advised the organisers that he would not appear under those circumstances. He apologises to all of his fans for the confusion but that was not of his making.”

Richard Ashcroft was due to close Tramlines Festival on Sunday 25th July and organisers have since confirmed that Supergrass will now replace him.

To gain entry to Tramlines, ticket holders have to provide proof of a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours before arriving at the festival, or proof of full vaccination, the second dose having been received at least 14 days before the first day of attending the event.

Other artists on the weekend bill include Royal Blood, The Streets, The Kooks, Blossoms, Dizzee Rascal, Jake Bugg and Tom Walker.

Absolute Radio listeners' top 10 greatest songs of the 90s:

Listen to Absolute Radio across the UK on your digital radio, the free Rayo app, by hitting that play button on the bottom of your screen or by asking your smart speaker to "play Absolute Radio".

• richard ashcroft
• the verve