Richard Ashcroft, Lightning Seeds and Zutons to play Blenheim Palace

They've been announced as the first headliner for next summer’s Nocturne Live concert series in Oxfordshire.

Richard Ashcroft
Author: Andrea FoxPublished 21st Oct 2024
Last updated 21st Oct 2024

Richard Ashcroft is announced today as the first headliner for next summer’s Nocturne Live concert series.

The series of shows returns to the 10,000-capacity UNESCO World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire from June 18th - 22nd 2025.

Ashcroft will headline on Thursday June 19th with support from Lightning Seeds and The Zutons.

As the frontman of ‘90s rock band The Verve, Ashcroft had huge success with the breakthrough album Urban Hymns, which spawned hit singles Bitter Sweet Symphony, Lucky Man, and The Drugs Don’t Work, became one of the defining releases of the ‘90s and remains one of the best-selling albums in UK history.

Since The Verve disbanded in 1999, Ashcroft's solo career has seen him release seven UK Top Five albums and a string of hit singles including A Song For The Lovers from 2000’s Alone With Everybody, and Break The Night With Colour from 2006’s Keys To The World. Ashcroft has received Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to British Music.

Support for Richard Ashcroft at Blenheim Palace comes from Lightning Seeds and The Zutons. The Lightning Seeds became one of the most successful acts of the ‘90s thanks to hits including The Life of Riley, Change and their enduring 1996 smash Three Lions. They perform at Blenheim Palace in celebration of their 35th anniversary.

Lightning Seeds

The Zutons are a multi-platinum-selling Liverpool band famed for their smash hit singles Why Won’t You Give Me Your Love? and Valerie - a huge international hit which reached even greater heights when covered by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse.

The band recently released The Big Decider, their first new album in 16 years which was produced by Nile Rodgers and the band’s original producer Lightning Seeds Ian Broudie, and charted in the UK Top 10.

The Zutons

Nocturne Live events turn Blenheim Palace’s Great Court into a 10,000-capacity open-air concert venue and have been running since 2015.

Over the years the series has seen performances from huge international stars including the likes of Lionel Ritchie, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Nile Rodgers, Lauryn Hill, Noel Gallagher, Gregory Porter, Van Morrison, Tears for Fears, Gladys Knight, Elvis Costello, Simple Minds and Ennio Morricone amongst many others.

Nocturne Live 2025 will run from Wednesday June 18th - Sunday June 22nd.

Tickets for Richard Ashcroft, Lightning Seeds and The Zutons start at £54 and go on sale at 9am on Friday October 25th.

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