Thirty years into their career, Ash are still making music and playing to sold out crowds, with their gig at The Foundry in Sheffield being no exception. Despite being a drizzly, cold Sunday night, the room was full to capacity when the band came out, kicking things off with a cover of the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey, which is also the lead track on their new album, Ad Astra. Certainly an epic introduction, it geared the audience up for what would be an evening of hits.
Continuing to promote their latest album release, they played ‘Fun People’, which shows a real shift in how their music has adapted through time, being a pop heavy anthem. Despite Graham Coxen being on the album version, the Blur guitarist did not make an appearance, but Ash made up for the absence with their own lively interpretation.
Although Ash are obviously older than they were in the 90s, their energy has not depleted in the slightest. Bouncing around the stage, frontman Tim Wheeler could easily pass for a 20 year old. Still genuinely pleased to see the turnout and the support for them, he interacted with the crowd and gave a passionate performance. Although the view wasn’t amazing from every part of the venue because of the small size, the sound quality could not be faulted and Ash played flawlessly.
There was a noticeable change in response from the crowd when the band played songs from earlier in their career, including ‘A Life Less Ordinary’, ‘Shining Light’ and ‘Oh Yeah’. It is clear that whilst people adore their classic tracks and sing along at the top of their lungs to those ones, the love for Ash hasn’t disappeared nine albums in. There is appreciation for all songs played, and Ash did a great job of choosing tracks from their entire discography.
A highlight of the night was definitely their own version of ‘Jump in the Line’, originally by Harry Belafonte. Putting a rocky spin on it, the audience ate out of the palm of their hands, bopping along to one of the best covers I’ve heard in a long time.
WORDS BY FRANCESCA DAVIS
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