Audio
What a huge moment in music history for Wigan.
Danny Jones -20th July 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr ‘Lucky Man’ himself, Richard Ashcroft, is bringing his long-awaited Wigan homecoming to Robin Park this weekend in what is set to be one of the biggest music moments the town has ever seen.
With the likes of Noel Gallagher and The Lathums kicking off the brand-new music series at the arena this week, Wigan natives are being treated to a total of five jam-packed nights (quite literally), but none bigger than their local hero and former Verve frontman, Richard Ashcroft.
The man behind ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ and arguably the best example of the ‘Manc Walk’ ever caught on film thanks to that iconic music video, he’s one of Greater Manchester’s most legendary musicians and with a double bill of shows at the Robin Park Arena, roughly 12,000 are expected to turn up.
So, whether you’re a Wiganer merely strutting down the road for it or heading into the home of pie barms and the almighty Ashcroft for the gig from elsewhere, we’ve put together a quick guide or all the important stuff you need to know.
Richard Ashcroft Robin Park tickets – are there any left?
If you’re looking to head to either of Richard Ashcroft’s two Wigan shows this weekend, there are still a decent amount of tickets left for both days.
ADVERTISEMENT
General admission standing tickets will set you back £66.45 each and you can buy in groups of six maximum. VIP, meanwhile, cost £122 and includes an exclusive area, seating section, a VIP bar; unique food vendors and premium toilet facilities.
Whatever kind of experience you want, you can grab yours HERE.
ADVERTISEMENT
Who are the special guests supporting Richard Ashcroft in Wigan?
Without a doubt, one of the best parts about the two Richard Ashcroft hometown shows is that you’ll be getting an entirely different set of support acts depending on which day you’re heading to Robin Park.
With three different warm-up acts before each headline gig, from artists all at different stages in their careers, you’re basically getting a mini-festival with each date.
Saturday’s support will come not only from rising local solo artist Maxwell Varey but two Scouse icons in long-standing veterans Cast – who supported Liam Gallagher on his Definitely Maybe tour – and Liverpool’s increasingly popular indie stars, Red Rum Club, who we interviewed not too long ago.
ADVERTISEMENT
As for those closing out the week, you’ll be treated to another blossoming Wigan outfit in the Stanleys, who we recently named on our list of new Manchester bands to watch out for, Welsh four-piece The Royston Club and more Liverpudlian royalty in The Zutons. Talk about getting your money’s worth.
What are the stage times for the Robin Park music series?
Set times are always subject to change, of course, but one thing we can guarantee is that doors will open from 4:30pm and the curfew for the venue is 10:30pm.
That being said, judging by the previous Robin Park live gigs, you can do some pretty decent guesswork around when the supports will start.
Second support act Red Rum Club didn’t kick off until 6:20pm on Saturday, with main warm-ups Cast playing from 7:30pm onwards and Ashcroft taking to at 9pm on night one. You expect similar timings for night two.
Keep your eyes on the bands’ socials to find out more closer to the time.
ADVERTISEMENT
Predicted setlist
As for what you can expect the 52-year-old to play for his highly-anticipated Wigan homecoming, Ashcroft’s most recent shows have been pretty short shrift on the festival circuit and so on, but his equally huge show at Kew the Music 2024 in London gives a bit more of indication of the possible setlist.
Combining that show with the songs played during his last visit to Manchester’s AO Arena in 2022, we think this is a pretty good average setlist – even if the exact running order looks a bit different.
- Space and Time (The Verve)
- Sonnet (The Verve)
- Surprised by the Joy
- A Song for the Lovers
- Break the Night With Colour
- Velvet Morning (The Verve)
- Music Is Power
- Are You Ready?
- Life’s an Ocean (The Verve)
- Weeping Willow (The Verve)
- The Drugs Don’t Work (The Verve)
- Hold On
- Lucky Man (The Verve)
Encore:
- C’mon People (We’re Making It Now)
- Money (That’s What I Want) (Barrett Strong cover)
- Bitter Sweet Symphony (The Verve)
On a personal note, we’re also praying we get to hear ‘All My Dreams’ and it’s a severely underrated banger, in our opinion.
How to get there – travel info, parking etc.
By train
Wigan Wallgate and Wigan North Western are your two main train stations and can be easily accessed from Manchester Victoria, Oxford Road and Manchester Piccadilly, with journeys taking approximately 30-45 minutes total.
ADVERTISEMENT
Both stations are roughly a 23-minute walk to the venue via a well-lit road.
By bus
Thanks to the recently revamped Bee Network, it’s also super easy to get to Robin Park Arena via bus too – you can plan your full journey HERE.
Bus stops on the nearby Thomas Moore Road and Seven Stars Road are within just 10 mins away from the venue on foot and you can board any of the following routes to get there: 352,375,385,601,602,603,604,610,611,640.
By car
If you’re driving, you can find a full list of directions depending on whereabouts you’re heading to the arena from on the Wigan Warriors website. You can drop people off around the front of the stadium by entering WN5 0UZ into your sat nav.
As for parking, there are spaces available in theBrick Community Stadium(WN5 0UN) car parks, which are located within a 14-minute walk away from the Arena.
ADVERTISEMENT
Car parks 1-4 will all be open for this event and should be accessed via Stadium Way. Stewards will be on hand to direct you on approach; accessible parking will also be available in car park three and all spaces are subject to a £15 charge per vehicle (pay by card only).
However, if you’re looking to park elsewhere, Wigan town centre has plenty of other designated parking that you can pre-book in advance in order to ensure a spot. There’s also free parking at any council-owned car parks on weekends – excluding Loire Drive (Robin Park Arena) car park and roadside parking.
Richard Ashcroft says Robin Park gigs could help make Wigan ‘a focal point in music’
Read more:
- Gracie Abrams announces Co-op Live gig in Manchester on UK tour
- The Manc Group launches Audio North platform to showcase music scenes across the region
- New nightlife spot Spider Box to open at Printworks, featuring UK’s first ‘digital human DJ’
And that should be just about everything for this gig guide and all the important bits you need to know ahead of Richard Ashcroft’s two massive shows at Robin Park and what a weekend it’s going to be for Wigan — what a few days it’s already been, even!
For those of you heading to the arena this weekend on either Saturday or Sunday, have the best time and make sure you soak in the memories of what will be a landmark moment in music history for the town.
Last but not least, for all other info on the biggest gigs, music news, venue info, interviews and more happening around the best region in the UK, make sure to keep tuned into Audio North.
ADVERTISEMENT
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester,subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)/Wigan Warriors
Audio
The Lottery Winners and The K’s are teaming up for the return of a North West music festivalDanny Jones
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
A pair of the North West’s biggest and brightest up-and-coming acts, The K’s and The Lottery Winners are teaming up for the return of the Newton Music Festival, celebrating the best new music from around the region.
The loud and much-loved indie rockers have emerged as two of the fastest-rising artists in the genre, not to mention a pair of bands with heaps of personality that have made them firm favourites amongst countless fans as their names have grown.
Starting with our wonderful Wiganers, they have headlined multiple festivals, achieved a number-one album and even supported the likes of Noel Gallagher and Nickelback – and that’s just in the last 12 months or so.
Meanwhile, The K’s were named Breakthrough Act of the Year at the first-ever Northern Music Awards, put The Libertines to the sword in their own chart race and are genuinely some of the best live performers around at the minute. So, with that in mind, they decided to double down on that reputation.
— THE K'S (@TheKsUK) July 27, 2024Tickets are flying out for our homecoming performance at Newton Music Festival!
Grab yours now whilst you can through the link below!💥https://t.co/1l1eIp5Q6u pic.twitter.com/S5ucIn4vYW
Looking to build on their meteoric rise and keep the momentum going, The K’s have decided to set up a brand-new music festival in their hometown of Netwon-Le-Willows, and have invited our very own lot from Leigh to join them for a very special evening of music.
Appearing alongside the two North West big hitters will be Manchester’s Meduulla, The Rolling People from Stockport, as well as a local duo of acts, Asian Blonde and Malarkey, who’ll be flying the flag for the North West town that also the legendary Rick Astley.
Newton Music Festival will be The K’s first homecoming event off the back of reaching number three debut in the UK with their smash-hit debut album, I Wonder If The World Knows, which was released earlier this year and proceeded a sell-out album tour.
After playing to nearly 4,000 at Victoria Warehouse and embarking on a raft of summer festivals, including playing to a 12,000-strong crowd at Glastonbury’s iconic Woodsies stage, the Earlestown-formed four-piece are absolutely flying and now looking to bring some mates along for the ride.
Ryan Breslin, guitarist from The K’s said: “We’re all absolutely buzzing to be playing our hometown for the return of Newton Music Festival. Heading back to the park we grew up on, it’s come full circle. The lineup this year is class and the support we’ve had from our town so far has been unreal, we can’t wait – see you there!”
Read more:
- Smirnoff teams up with Co-op Live for new Summer Series
- Warehouse Project announces latest lineup, including Disclosure, Chris Stussy and more
- Stanleys announce landmark hometown gig at an iconic Wigan venue
With mainstage gigs at Reading and Leeds this August and support slots for Liam Gallagher’s highly-anticipated Malta Weekender this coming September, they’ve got plenty on the cards but this just might be the most exciting announcement yet.
What we’re hoping will be the first of many Newton Music Festival takes place at Mesnes Park on Saturday, 3 August, and if the headliners weren’t exciting enough, you’ll be treated to lots more North West talent on show to boot.
Thom Rylance, lead vocalist with The Lottery Winners said of the event: “Not only are The K’s our good friends, they are one of the most exciting bands out there at the moment, when they asked us to support them as special guests at their hometown festival which is just down the road from us it was an absolute no-brainer”.
Newton Music Festival takes place at Mesnes Park, Newton-Le-Willows on Saturday, August 3rd from 5-10pm and tickets are priced at just £20. You can grab yours HERE and we hope to see you there.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester,subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)
Audio
Smirnoff teams up with Co-op Live for new Summer SeriesDanny JonesADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Smirnoff, the world’s number-one vodka brand not to mention a leading force in wider music culture, has officially partnered with Co-op Live to mark the opening of the new state-of-the-art venue and its debut calendar.
The partnership will see the new ‘Co-op Live Summer Series presented by Smirnoff‘ run until 13 September 2024. As part of the collaboration, the vodka brand will surprise and delight guests visiting the venue with great-tasting drinks and the ultimate night out, with VIP packages and more.
Co-op Live has curated a stacked lineup of popular bands, singers and entertainers, including some of the biggest names in music, who are set to perform at Europe’s largest indoor entertainment venue.
Starting the Summer Series off with a bang presented by Smirnoff celebrations, the brand is offering friends a chance to win tickets to see their favourite stars perform live, hosted by celebrities including TV favourite Callum Jones, as well as social media and makeup virtuoso Mitchell Halliday.
Alongside their hosts, winners will enjoy access to the exclusive Decibel Club and enjoy the concert from a private suite hosted by Smirnoff, fully immersing themselves in the ultimate venue experience. Competition details (18+ only) can be found on Smirnoff’s Instagram page.
Attendees at the 23,500 capacity Co-op Live arena will have the opportunity to choose from a range of Smirnoff favourites, including Smirnoff Raspberry Crush, Smirnoff Mango and Passionfruit Twist, Smirnoff No.21 and more.
These drinks will be available to guests over 18 at bars and grab-and-go stations throughout the venue, including the Smirnoff Founders Bar. Guests can also try the newest addition to the range, Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind, at the bar located on the concourse – fingers crossed there’ll be plenty of sun too.
There is a unique must-try experience for all gig attendees: a 360-photo booth on Level 3, where guests can use fun props to snap the best and most high-end selfies they’ve ever taken, and have a chance to get their tickets upgraded that evening.
Operated by holding group Diaego, the aim of Smirnoff’s Co-op Live Summer Series is to reflect the vodka brand’s ongoing commitment to making music more accessible to everyone.
Smirnoff recently rolled out its ‘WE DO US’ campaign, activated through a series of initiatives that aim to reignite social connections and lower barriers to socialising.
Tyler Monk, Smirnoff Brand Manager at Diageo Great Britain, said: “Smirnoff is on a mission to make music more accessible and create unforgettable experiences that bring people together through live music. We’re proud to partner with Co-op Live and be part of Manchester’s vibrant music scene, offering great-tasting Smirnoff drinks, music, and unique experiences to a wider audience.”
Check the website for the full schedule of events at Co-op Live HERE.
Read more:
- WHP announces next-level additions to lineup, including Disclosure, Chris Stussy and more
- The Manc Group launches Audio North platform to showcase music scenes across the North
- Win the ultimate Northern music experience and hotel stay with Audio North.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester,subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Smirnoff (supplied)/The Manc Group
