Richard Ashcroft is set to headline Sheffield’s Rock N’ Roll Circus in 2026, with support coming from The Fratellis and Cast.
The announcement was confirmed by organisers today (December 1), who shared that the soloist and former Verve frontman will be heading to Sheffield next summer to headline the live music series held at Don Valley Bowl.
Next year’s instalment will run over the August Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 28 – Sunday 30), and has already seen indie giants The Streets announced as headliners for the opening night.
Ashcroft is set to take to the stage on Sunday August 30, and the gig will come following the singer-songwriter having a new wave of popularity after opening for Oasis on their huge ‘Live ‘25’ reunion tour dates earlier this summer. It also comes on the heels of him dropping his new solo record ‘Lovin’ You’ earlier this year.
On the night, he is expected to play material from that latest album, as well as some of the huge songs in his earlier discography including ‘Lucky Man’, ‘Sonnet’, ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’ and ‘Bittersweet Symphony’.
Joining him on the Sunday instalment will be Scottish festival giants The Fratellis, who are playing live following their ‘Costello Music’ anniversary shows, and Cast. The latter are also enjoying a resurgence in popularity as they joined Ashcroft in opening for Oasis during their recent comeback shows, and are fronted by John Power of The La’s.
“Richard Ashcroft is a towering figure in British music and a phenomenal live performer, so we’re thrilled to be bringing him to Sheffield for 2026,” said Festival Director Ali O’Reilly.
“It is shaping up to be our biggest and most exciting year yet,” he added. “Sheffield always brings incredible energy to Rock N Roll Circus, and we can’t wait to return to Don Valley Bowl for another unforgettable weekend.”
Tickets go on sale this Friday (December 5) at 9am, and pre-sale options are available from Wednesday (December 3). Visit here for tickets.
Back in October, Ashcroft looked back at the huge impact of Oasis’ comeback tour earlier this summer, and revealed that it acted as a “real catalyst” for young fans.
He also spoke in defence of the fan who went viral at an Oasis gig for Shazamming The Verve‘s ‘Bittersweet Symphony’, and called out “cultural snobs” who made fun of them for not knowing the huge hit.
“I see that as a beautiful thing. That’s a brand new fan, joining the team,” he said. “Be proud! Why should everyone know everything? They may have only heard that song before England play football on ITV.
“If someone doesn’t recognise a famous painting, so what? We can’t be cultural snobs. I’d love to get her on stage with her phone when I’m doing ‘Bittersweet’. That would be really funny.”
Cast’s John Power also spoke about the way that opening for Oasis affected their career in 2025, sharing earlier in the summer that the opportunity “really authenticates our legacy”.
“It’s become something more than a show. It’s a vicious world out there, and there’s so much joy in the gigs,” he told Spin, looking at the mammoth impact of the shows. “People are going ape shit. I’ve watched many of the shows to the end because it’s an amazing, uplifting vibe all the way through.”
Those comments echoed what he told NME ahead of the gigs kicking off, when he also shared that he was convinced that the run of shows was going to have a “very positive vibe” from all involved.
“It kind of reaffirms our legacy and authenticates the road and journey that we’ve been on as a band. And now us, Richard Ashcroft and Oasis – talk about Northern Soul! That’s some line-up,” he explained.
This year’s edition of the festival held at Don Valley Bowl took place between August 27 and 30, and saw Queens Of The Stone Age, James, Reverend & The Makers booked in as headliners.
