NEED TO KNOW
Richard Ashcroft shared his thoughts on a fan Shazaming The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” during an Oasis show over the summer.
In an interview with The Guardian on Monday, Nov. 3, the British musician reflected on the moment that took place as he was opening for Oasis during their first show in 16 years on July 4 in Cardiff Wales, per fan-captured footage on X.
“I see that as a beautiful thing,” Ashcroft, 54, told the publication of the fan using the Shazam app to identify the artist and song. “That’s a brand new fan, joining the team.”
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He then recalled telling fans to “get your Shazams out” the next week during a show and said people should “be proud” of their desire to discover new music.
“Why should everyone know everything? They may have only heard that song before England play football on ITV,” said Ashcroft.
He continued: “If someone doesn’t recognize a famous painting, so what? We can’t be cultural snobs.”
In fact, Ashcroft noted he’d love to have the fan on stage with her phone while he’s performing “Bittersweet Symphony.”
“That would be really funny,” he said.
Ashcroft also explained how opening for Oasis helped introduce him to a new crop of fans.
“I’ve already built up a good following,” he said. “It can be hard when you lose The Verve and just become Richard Ashcroft. It can take people time to rediscover you.”
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When the moment at the July 4 show happened, users took to the comments on X to share their thoughts on the fan Shazaming the song.
“She doesn’t know the song, how about just stop recording people and then putting it all over the place,” one fan wrote.
Another person commented, “The bigger tosser is the person filming someone else’s phone when they know they could be watching Bittersweet Symphony.”
“Maybe she didn’t grow up with it mate. Not everyone’s obsessed with 90s Britpop. Could just be enjoying the night in her own way. No need to embarrass folk for not knowing a tune,” a different fan pointed out.
Ashcroft even shared an Instagram post two days after the viral moment on July 6 encouraging fans to Shazam their music.
“Day 2 thanks to everyone who came down and gave such beautiful support for my set,” he wrote.
Ashcroft continued: “If you don’t know it Shazam it, all new fans welcome! Love to Liam Gallagher for ‘Cast No Shadow,’ what a tune! We move on, Manchester. Are you ready? Music is power. RA.”
