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Inspiration • November 27th, 2025
|Get ready for some massive news. The legendary songwriter and frontman Richard Ashcroft is adding another huge date to his 2026 tour, and it’s a big one. He’s heading to the Yorkshire coast to headline a show at the TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Saturday, 27 June. And he's not coming alone. He's bringing along Tom Meighan, the original voice of Kasabian, and brilliant Yorkshire indie band Apollo Junction. This is shaping up to be one of the must-see gigs of the summer.
A music legend heads to the coast
If you know your music, you know Richard Ashcroft. He was the frontman of the iconic band The Verve, who gave the world the absolute anthem 'Bitter Sweet Symphony'. But his story is so much bigger than just one song. He's a massively respected songwriter, with two prestigious Ivor Novello awards under his belt. Think of the Ivor Novello awards as the Oscars for songwriting – they're a huge deal. He's also snagged a triple BRIT Award, which shows just how much of an impact he's had on British music.
Lately, Richard Ashcroft has been having a bit of a moment. In 2025, he joined Oasis as a special guest on their massive summer tour, and the crowds absolutely loved him. It seems like a whole new generation is discovering his amazing catalogue of songs. His seventh solo album, 'Lovin You', shot to Number Three in the UK charts last month, proving he's as relevant as ever. From his days with The Verve and their 11-times Platinum album 'Urban Hymns' to his fantastic solo career, he's a true music great. The upcoming tour is set to be a celebration of it all.
Who's joining the party in Scarborough?
A great headliner needs great support, and this gig delivers. First up is Tom Meighan. His voice is one of the most recognisable in modern rock. As the original frontman for Kasabian, he sang on massive hits like 'Fire', 'Club Foot', and 'Shoot The Runner'. Kasabian were one of the biggest bands in the country, with five UK Number One albums and a cabinet full of NME, Q, Mojo, and BRIT awards.
After leaving Kasabian in 2020, Tom Meighan has made a powerful comeback. His debut solo album, 'The Reckoning', came out in 2023 and showed a different side to him. The songs are more thoughtful, telling stories of a man who has been through a lot and come out the other side stronger. It’s a chance to see a rock icon in a new light.
Kicking the night off will be Apollo Junction. These guys are a Yorkshire band with a seriously dedicated fanbase. Their latest album, 'What In The World', captures all the energy of their live shows. Having a local band open the show is always brilliant, and they’re sure to get the crowd at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre buzzing from the very start. What a line-up!
A massive summer of music at the Open Air Theatre
The Richard Ashcroft gig on 27 June is just one part of an incredible summer of music planned for the TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre in 2026. The venue is getting a reputation for pulling in some of the biggest artists around. It’s a fantastic place to see live music, with the sea air and a brilliant atmosphere.
The list of other headliners already announced for the 2026 season is just amazing. There's a real mix of music legends and current chart stars. The promoters, Cuffe and Taylor, are putting together a fantastic programme. Just check out this list of artists heading to Scarborough:
| Date | Artists |
|---|---|
| JUN 5 | RICK ASTLEY + LOTTERY WINNERS |
| JUN 6 | MADNESS + HOLLIE COOK + THE BEAT FEAT. RANKING JNR |
| JUN 12 | PAUL WELLER |
| JUN 18 | THE KOOKS |
| JUN 20 | SKUNK ANANSIE + GARBAGE |
| JUN 26 | PETE TONG IBIZA CLASSICS |
| JUN 27 | RICHARD ASHCROFT + TOM MEIGHAN + APOLLO JUNCTION |
| JUN 28 | BILLY OCEAN + MARTI PELLOW |
| JUL 2 | BOWLING FOR SOUP + FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS |
| JUL 3 | JAMES ARTHUR |
| JUL 4 | DAVID GRAY + THE DIVINE COMEDY |
| JUL 10 | DEACON BLUE + LIGHTNING SEEDS |
| JUL 11 | BASTILLE + NECTAR WOODE |
| JUL 17 | ALEX JAMES’ BRITPOP CLASSICAL |
| JUL 18 | CMAT |
| JUL 22 | TEDDY SWIMS + JORDAN RAKEI |
| JUL 23 | TEDDY SWIMS + JORDAN RAKEI |
| JUL 25 | JAMES TAYLOR + his ALL-STAR BAND |
| AUG 1 | THE STREETS |
| AUG 8 | SCISSOR SISTERS |
| AUG 14 | HOLLY JOHNSON + ABC + HEAVEN 17 |
From the modfather Paul Weller to pop heroes Bastille, and from punk fun with Bowling For Soup and Frank Turner to American soul star Teddy Swims, there really is something for everyone. It shows that Scarborough is a major stop on any big music tour.
What the organisers are saying
Julian Murray, who works for the Scarborough OAT promoters Cuffe and Taylor, is clearly excited about this latest announcement. He said:
“Richard Ashcroft is a man on a high right now – his popularity is absolutely soaring after his incredible summer alongside Oasis. He is an incredible songwriter who has been winning new fans alongside his faithful followers from The Verve days. We cannot wait to welcome him to the Yorkshire coast alongside Tom Meighan and local favourites Apollo Junction. It will be an amazing night!”
The event is sponsored by TK Maxx, a brand that knows a thing or two about offering great finds. Together with its sister brand Homesense, TK Maxx operates across Europe, bringing brand-name fashion and homeware to customers for less. It's all about that 'treasure hunt' feeling, which is a bit like discovering your new favourite band at a festival. With hundreds of stores across Europe, from the UK to Germany and Poland, TK Maxx is a familiar name, and its support helps bring these amazing live artists to places like Scarborough.
Tickets for the Richard Ashcroft, Tom Meighan, and Apollo Junction show go on sale at 10am on Friday. It’s set to be a highlight of the 2026 tour calendar.
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