By The Riff Report
When people talk about Britpop, it always gets boiled down to one thing: Oasis vs Blur.
But let’s be honest, that’s just tabloid nonsense and a few chart battles from 1995.
Because the real story — the heart and soul of the scene — wasn’t about rivalry. It was about connection, friendship, and shared madness. And nowhere is that more true than in the relationship between Liam Gallagher and Richard Ashcroft.
This wasn’t a feud. This was a fellowship — built on swagger, songwriting, and spiritual chaos.
🧬 Britpop Blood Brothers: Different Bands, Same Spirit
Oasis and The Verve were cut from the same cloth — the same Madchester influence, the same working-class grit, and the same desire to make the world feel something.
- Liam Gallagher, born in Burnage, Manchester in 1972, had the voice of a generation and the attitude of a whole football firm.
- Richard Ashcroft, from Higher End, Orrell, born a year earlier in 1971, was the poet, the mystic, the soul-searcher with the 1000-yard stare.
They didn’t just represent a movement. They were the movement.
And while Damon Albarn was giving interviews about art-pop irony, Liam and Ashcroft were living it raw, dirty, and loud. 🎤🔥
🎵 “Cast No Shadow” – A Musical Hug from Noel Gallagher
This one still gets us choked up, mun.
Noel Gallagher penned Cast No Shadow during the (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? sessions — and it wasn’t just any song. It was written for Richard Ashcroft.
“Here’s to the man with the sun in his eyes, but he can’t be what he wants to be.”
That was about Ashcroft. Fragile genius. Pressure. Fame. All of it.
Noel later said:
“Richard was going through a rough time, and I was thinking about him when I wrote it.”
Ashcroft didn’t just accept the tribute — he embraced it. Called it a gift. And when Oasis needed a voice to help elevate All Around The World, who was there doing backing vocals in the studio? That’s right — Richard Bloody Ashcroft.
Friendship level: legendary. 🎙️💜
🧘♂️ The Wigan Shaman & The Manc Frontman: Different Vibes, Same Soul
Liam Gallagher was (and still is) chaos personified — like a pint of Guinness that’s just head and fists.
Ashcroft? A bit more cosmic.
He was dubbed the “Wigan shaman” for a reason. Trippy lyrics, wide-eyed stage presence, and a knack for turning heartbreak into anthems. You get Bittersweet Symphony, Sonnet, and The Drugs Don’t Work from someone who’s felt everything too deeply.
But despite the surface-level differences, they shared a bond deeper than any Britpop beef.
They understood each other. They saw each other.
Liam once said: “Ashcroft’s a top lad. One of the only ones who gets it.”
Ashcroft? He called Liam “a f***ing rock star in the best sense.”
🎸 2021 Reunion: “C’mon People (We’re Making It Now)” Acoustic Collab
Fast forward to 2021, and the bromance came full circle.
Ashcroft released a stripped-back acoustic version of C’mon People (We’re Making It Now) — a song he’d written back in the ’90s, and finally gave it new life.
With Liam on guest vocals.
It’s not flashy. It’s not stadium-sized. It’s just two old mates, no nonsense, just singing together like it’s 3am in a Manc living room. And honestly? It’s beautiful. 🥲
🏟️ Oasis Reunion Tour 2025 – Guess Who’s Supporting?
You couldn’t script it better:
Oasis are finally reuniting for a 2025 tour (we’ve stopped pinching ourselves now), and guess who’s main support on the whole bloody thing?
Yup. Richard “Bittersweet” Ashcroft.
Ashcroft called it “destiny,” saying:
“Their stories are bonded, and I’m just happy to see it all come full circle.”
He’s not there for the payday. He’s not a nostalgia act.
He’s there because no one else belongs on that stage more than him.
He was there in the beginning. Now, he’ll be there when the circle completes.
💬 More Than Music: The Mutual Admiration Society
This isn’t just about collabs and gigs. Liam and Richard actually rate each other. High.
- Liam on Ashcroft:
“One of the best songwriters this country’s ever had. Better than most of ‘em.”
- Ashcroft on Liam:
“He’s real. He’s fire. There’s not many like him left.”
And when asked if there’s a rivalry between them? They just laugh. Because they know — this isn’t Blur vs Oasis.
This is blokes vs the world — together.
💰 The Stat Sheet (Because Why Not?)
Let’s throw some quick-fire numbers in, just for fun (as seen in your image):
| Attribute | Liam Gallagher | Richard Ashcroft |
|---|---|---|
| Birthplace | Burnage, Manchester 🐝 | Higher End, Orrell 🏠 |
| Birthday | 21 Sept 1972 🎉 | 11 Sept 1971 🎂 |
| Partner | Debbie Gwyther ❤️ | Kate Radley 💍 |
| Profession | Singer & Songwriter 🎙️ | Singer 🎤 |
| Net Worth 💸 | $6 million | $4 million |
But let’s be real: the vibes are priceless.
🕊️ Final Thoughts: The Britpop Bond That Won’t Break
Some friendships get louder with time.
Liam and Richard’s story isn’t some hyped-up PR friendship or a collab born out of Spotify metrics.
It’s two working-class lads who made it big, looked out for each other, and stayed true to the music.
They saw through the industry BS. They stuck around when others faded.
And now, in 2025, they’re still shoulder-to-shoulder, reminding us all why Britpop mattered.
This isn’t a rivalry.
It’s a reunion.
And we’re all bloody lucky to witness it.
🎧 Playlist Time!
If you want to soundtrack your next pint with this bromance, here’s what to spin:
- Oasis – Cast No Shadow
- The Verve – Lucky Man
- Richard Ashcroft ft. Liam Gallagher – C’mon People (Acoustic)
- Oasis – All Around The World (listen for Ashcroft’s backing)
- The Verve – The Drugs Don’t Work
- Liam Gallagher – Once
YESS MUN! This is why we love music.
#LiamGallagher #RichardAshcroft #OasisReunion #TheVerve #CastNoShadow #CmonPeople #BittersweetSymphony #BritpopBros #TheRiffReport
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
Comments