Richard Ashcroft – Cardiff Castle Review

There are some artists whose songs become part of British culture. Richard Ashcroft is one of them.

Headlining TK Maxx presents DEPOT Live at Cardiff Castle, the former Verve frontman delivered a performance that felt less like a nostalgia trip and more like a reminder that truly great songwriting never ages.

Walking out to a huge reception, Ashcroft immediately set the tone with Sonnet, Space and Time and Weeping Willow. From the very first note, the Cardiff crowd seemed to hang on every word. Before long, it was obvious this wasn’t just another summer concert – it was one of those evenings where everything simply clicked.

His voice was the biggest surprise of the night. It hasn’t just held up over the years; at times it sounded hauntingly beautiful. Whether he was delivering the delicate emotion of The Drugs Don’t Work or the soaring melodies of Lucky Man, there were moments where the entire castle seemed transfixed.

Ashcroft himself embraced the Welsh crowd from the outset, joking, “You can’t beat a fucking Welsh choir,” before later telling the audience, “Cardiff, man… a proper city, a proper music city,” and speaking about what an honour it was to perform inside Cardiff Castle. It was a connection that genuinely felt mutual.

His band deserve enormous credit too. They were exceptionally tight throughout, allowing every song the space to breathe while still carrying huge power when needed. The lead guitarist’s tone was simply sublime – warm, expansive and effortlessly expressive – complementing Ashcroft’s vocals perfectly all night. It’s the kind of guitar sound that gives you goosebumps without ever trying too hard.

The setlist was brilliantly paced, weaving together Verve classics with solo favourites like A Song for the Lovers and Break the Night with Colour. By the closing stretch, the atmosphere had become something special. Watching The Drugs Don’t Work echo around the illuminated walls of Cardiff Castle was genuinely spine-tingling, before Ashcroft introduced Bitter Sweet Symphony as “a masterpiece.” Few in attendance would have argued. It remains one of the defining songs of British music, and hearing thousands of voices sing every word back beneath the night sky was a fitting finale.

Before Ashcroft took the stage, Tom Meighan delivered an explosive set that proved exactly why he remains one of Britain’s great frontmen. His energy was relentless, the crowd responded to every chorus, and he felt like the perfect artist to bridge the gap before the night’s main event. Apollo Junction also made the most of the opportunity, opening proceedings with confidence and helping create the feel-good atmosphere that carried through the entire evening.

Credit also has to go to DEPOT Live. Cardiff Castle is rapidly establishing itself as one of the UK’s premier outdoor concert venues, and it’s easy to see why. The setting is breathtaking, the organisation is excellent, food and drink options are plentiful and reasonably priced, and the calibre of artists being brought to the Welsh capital continues to improve every summer. For music fans in Wales, it’s becoming one of the highlights of the live music calendar.

As the evening sun faded behind the castle walls and thousands slowly filtered home, it felt like everyone knew they’d witnessed something memorable. Richard Ashcroft didn’t need elaborate production or gimmicks. He simply relied on timeless songs, an incredible voice and a band operating at the very top of their game.

Sometimes that’s all you need.

10/10