The Verve Is Back

The Verve will launch its first North American tour in nearly a decade with a special show at The Warfield in San Francisco, CA on April 23rd, warming up for its performance at the Coachella Valley Music Urban Hymns, which has sold eight million copies worldwide.

Tickets sold out in a mere 20 minutes last year when The Verve quietly announced its first U.K. shows since 1998. "The only reunion tour that could put Zeppelin in the shade kicks off and leaves us in no doubt: this is History," said NME, pronouncing the band's first two shows as "nothing short of astonishing." The Guardian praised the group's "stellar return," marveling at "the eerie chemistry that takes place when these four musicians play" while The Observer said: "The Verve are still as beautifully, uniquely energising as ever." The band followed its November dates with a December U.K. arena tour and will play numerous European and Japanese festivals this summer.

The Verve's live shows are as explosive as ever, running the gamut from material so new that Richard Ashcroft sings the lyrics from scraps of paper to long-lost, hazy B-sides ("Let The Damage Begin," "A Man Called Sun") and, of course, their extraordinary string of singles ("Bitter Sweet Symphony," "The Drugs Don't Work," "Lucky Man," "History," "This Is Music," to name but a few). When the band takes the stage, literally anything can happen as setlists are rearranged at will and songs blast off wherever they want to take them in a magnificent improvisation.

Comprised of Richard Ashcroft (lead vocals), Simon Jones (bass), Nick McCabe (guitar) and Peter Salisbury (drums), The Verve formed in 1990 while the four were at college in Wigan, an industrial town in Greater Manchester county. 2003's A Storm In Heaven, the band's full-length debut, introduced its adventurous "music of the spheres," which strove to break out of the stratosphere while simultaneously evoking life with a brutally down-to-earth, gritty realism. On each subsequent release - 1995's acclaimed A Northern Soul and 1997's landmark Urban Hymns - The Verve eclipsed itself, establishing a legacy that was acknowledged afresh last year when Q honored Urban Hymns with the magazine's first-ever "Classic Album" award.

Tour dates are as follows:

04/23 - San Francisco, CA, The Warfield
04/25 - Indio, CA, Coachella Valley Music
04/26 - Las Vegas, NV, The Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort
04/28 - New York, NY, WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden
04/29 - New York, NY, WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden
05/01 - Toronto, ON, Ricoh Coliseum

Comments

[axis56]

new it

ands are cos there a collective

not is back
and 1st

[Abe]

"2003's A Storm In Heaven"

Haha.

I love The Verve, I'm off to see them this Summer, I bet they'll put on an amazing live show.

[Korzack]

Wait -the Verve put Led Zeppelin in the shade? lol That's NME for you. Still, were a good group in their day, even for someone who has less interest in brit-pop than a Taliban warlord. Interesting to see them back

[DirkLance]

If the Verve were as great as this album is making them out to be, wouldn't I know more than ONE of their songs?

Maybe I'm just mis-informed, and don't think I'm dissing the Verve, but I'm just saying...I know pretty much NOTHING about them.

I don't really enjoy articles this biased that they nearly disappear up the butts of the artists...the brown nosing goes that deep.

And that Led Zep comment was made to shock, don't tell me they actually believe that. That comment pissed me of a tad.

[skagitup]

^ DirkLance

Your ignorance is not a reason to believe that The Verve aren't "as great as this album is making them out to be".

Lucky Man, Bittersweet Symphony and The Drugs Don't Work are three of the greatest songs ever written, in my opinion, not to mention the countless others from both The Verve and Richard Ashcroft's past.

Can't wait to see them.

[MuseF'nRocks]

The verve is a great band but common, there no Led Zeppelin. If Zeppelin toured there would be riots trying to get tickets. The Verve isn't that populat in the US anyway, definatly a UK band.

[Ataxia]

DirkLance; where are you from? I'm unsure if The Verve ever cracked America but here in the UK...they are HUGE. This is great news.

are they going to make a new album?

[maisey ferret]

Silly UG. The title is obviously wrong. Its...'The Verse ARE back'. Learn some grammar dammit!

[Ferrarone]

nice!

[DirkLance]

skagitup wrote:

^ DirkLance

Your ignorance is not a reason to believe that The Verve aren't "as great as this album is making them out to be".

Lucky Man, Bittersweet Symphony and The Drugs Don't Work are three of the greatest songs ever written, in my opinion, not to mention the countless others from both The Verve and Richard Ashcroft's past.

Can't wait to see them.

Ataxia wrote:

DirkLance; where are you from? I'm unsure if The Verve ever cracked America but here in the UK...they are HUGE. This is great news.

No need to be defensive skagitup, like i said, I can't really make an opinion either way, I know NOTHING about them. I just find it weird to have a band praised in such a high manner and I know one single (Bittersweet Symphony) which IS considered great here in the US, but to many people, it might be labeled a one hit wonder.

The comment about the article was a general statement...it's hard to swallow something written so sweetly...you're not sure whether it's credible or not because it uses SO many platitudes. And no matter what though, I still think the Led Zep comment was there for people to get their feathers rustled.

Anyway, the point is, YES I'm from the USA. I find myself to be very open to a LOT of music, yet the Verve is simply just not as big here as they are in the UK apparently. I'll have to check them out, I suppose. But sometimes that happens...bands can fit regionally better somewhere simply because the culture embraces it better. Why that happens I can say...but nobody can help it, that's for sure.

[twolostsouls]

DirkLance wrote:

skagitup wrote:

^ DirkLance

Your ignorance is not a reason to believe that The Verve aren't "as great as this album is making them out to be".

Lucky Man, Bittersweet Symphony and The Drugs Don't Work are three of the greatest songs ever written, in my opinion, not to mention the countless others from both The Verve and Richard Ashcroft's past.

Can't wait to see them.Ataxia wrote:

DirkLance; where are you from? I'm unsure if The Verve ever cracked America but here in the UK...they are HUGE. This is great news.

No need to be defensive skagitup, like i said, I can't really make an opinion either way, I know NOTHING about them. I just find it weird to have a band praised in such a high manner and I know one single (Bittersweet Symphony) which IS considered great here in the US, but to many people, it might be labeled a one hit wonder.

The comment about the article was a general statement...it's hard to swallow something written so sweetly...you're not sure whether it's credible or not because it uses SO many platitudes. And no matter what though, I still think the Led Zep comment was there for people to get their feathers rustled.

Anyway, the point is, YES I'm from the USA. I find myself to be very open to a LOT of music, yet the Verve is simply just not as big here as they are in the UK apparently. I'll have to check them out, I suppose. But sometimes that happens...bands can fit regionally better somewhere simply because the culture embraces it better. Why that happens I can say...but nobody can help it, that's for sure.

Go buy Urban Hymns. Now.

[Renfordoggz]

Ataxia wrote:

DirkLance; where are you from? I'm unsure if The Verve ever cracked America but here in the UK...they are HUGE. This is great news.

They're not as HUGE as led zep in UK (i live there so i'd kno)

[[x]Huffy[x]]

[QUOTE=NME]"The only reunion tour that could put Zeppelin in the shade kicks off and leaves us in no doubt: this is History,"[/QUOTE]
Get lost. Seriously. The Verve aren't bad. But there is no way the could EVER, EVER put Led Zeppelin in the shade.

[[x]Huffy[x]]

^ How do I failed quote? :P

[Spydr]

Wish they were coming to Alberta. They never got very big in Canada, the only song anyone here knows is Bittersweet Symphony. I'm glad I got into them.

[Froddy]

I'm from the UK and have only heard Bittersweet Symphony. Well I'm sure U've heard more but that's all I can name.

[dieloony2]

is this a big deal? did they pay you guys to put this article up cuz last i heard they are a one hit wonder.

[Year Zero]

Awesome, they should have never quit in the first place.

Fu-k the Stones it's not like they created that melody for bittersweet anyways. A freaking symphony did.

[Primus-suck!_4]

Am I missing somthing? Are these guys really good enough to put Zepp "in the shade"?

[pratt121]

You have to understand that when this band called it quits the odds of them getting back together were slim to none. Probably about as slim as Zep, if not slimmer.

It might just mean that the shock of this tour puts the shock of the Zep tour in shade -- obviously LZ is going to make more money than anyone has ever made on a tour.

checked.

[notoriousF A T]

i dont think there is any band that could put led zeppelin in the shade

[cam_sampbell]

notoriousF A T wrote:

i dont think there is any band that could put led zeppelin in the shade

The Beatles? but with someone replacing john lennon

[tommytomtomtom]

what was the song by rolling stones that the verve stole from on bittersweet symphony?

[ride111]

tommytomtomtom wrote:

what was the song by rolling stones that the verve stole from on bittersweet symphony?

the last time...

the verve are amazing..all three albums plus the b-sides..truly great band. i remember reading the news that they were reforming..was delighted. definetly more to them than bittersweet symphony.

[AFrozenFlame89]

axis56 wrote:

new it

ands are cos there a collective

not is back
and 1st

Wait.....what?

[TheAngryMob875]

cam_sampbell wrote:

notoriousF A T wrote:

i dont think there is any band that could put led zeppelin in the shade
The Beatles? but with someone replacing john lennon

and george harrison.....what a beatles fan oyu are

[grungeisdead312]

maisey ferret wrote:

Silly UG. The title is obviously wrong. Its...'The Verse ARE back'. Learn some grammar dammit!

the verse?? don't you mean the verve

learn spelling damn it!
lmao

[Ataxia]

DirkLance wrote:

skagitup wrote:

^ DirkLance

Your ignorance is not a reason to believe that The Verve aren't "as great as this album is making them out to be".

Lucky Man, Bittersweet Symphony and The Drugs Don't Work are three of the greatest songs ever written, in my opinion, not to mention the countless others from both The Verve and Richard Ashcroft's past.

Can't wait to see them.Ataxia wrote:

DirkLance; where are you from? I'm unsure if The Verve ever cracked America but here in the UK...they are HUGE. This is great news.

No need to be defensive skagitup, like i said, I can't really make an opinion either way, I know NOTHING about them. I just find it weird to have a band praised in such a high manner and I know one single (Bittersweet Symphony) which IS considered great here in the US, but to many people, it might be labeled a one hit wonder.

The comment about the article was a general statement...it's hard to swallow something written so sweetly...you're not sure whether it's credible or not because it uses SO many platitudes. And no matter what though, I still think the Led Zep comment was there for people to get their feathers rustled.

Anyway, the point is, YES I'm from the USA. I find myself to be very open to a LOT of music, yet the Verve is simply just not as big here as they are in the UK apparently. I'll have to check them out, I suppose. But sometimes that happens...bands can fit regionally better somewhere simply because the culture embraces it better. Why that happens I can say...but nobody can help it, that's for sure.

Hmm? I wasn't being defensive! IT was a genuine question, I wondered on your geographical placement as all!

[Ataxia]

Ahhh pants. Ignore that comment, delete if possible. Apologies! ^^^

[FearBefore]

AFrozenFlame89 wrote:

axis56 wrote:

new it

ands are cos there a collective

not is back
and 1st


Wait.....what?

He/She is saying that it should be "The Verve ARE back" not "The Verve IS back" since it is talking about a group and not a single person.


Impressed that they are coming to Toronto. Gonna try my best to get a ticket for this. I've missed them.

[RandyMoon]

On VH1's list of One Hit Wonders, the verve were on their for Bittersweet Symphony. I agree that they did not make much wind here in the states, so from that perspective, the Verve reunion in no way compares to Zeppelin. Perhaps in Britain this is viewed differently.

[RandyMoon]

there*

[Declan87]

They're "the verve", not "the verves", so I think UG's title is grammatically correct.

This is hardly new. They were announced for oxegen months back. Still great!

[tbarrettl]

Great news though it is by no means new

[magic_tree]

Although they obviously deliver albums and gigs when required,The Verve are just one of those bands that did well because of hype. Radio One here in the UK take bands that may have done an album or two and tell everyone that they are legends and geniuses. They organize big gigs and play their records to death. Listen to The Verve with neutral ears, most of you are guitarists's. Whats so good in it for us? They are very popular with the type of people who follow the music they are told they like. As a musician myself, I would say they were average. If you are looking for a good band from that era, try Coldplay or Radiohead, not everyones cup of tea, but compared to The Verve, I think most musicians would see more originality and musicianship in both. Plus Richard Ashcroft stole Jason Spacemans (Spaceman 3 and Spiritualized) missus. Spiritualized, who were a much better band, went down hill from there.

[magic_tree]

Forgot to say.....Led Zep and The Verve? Zep hands down. Different leagues. How many Verve songs will you remember in 20 years?

[rich420]

new it

ands are cos there a collective

not is back
and 1st

hahaha, you're one to talk, your sentence barely makes any sense, and it's They're, not There. Get it right, it's really not hard at all.

[Christ_air]

ALL I CAN SAY TO ANYONE WHO HAS NEVER HEARD OF THE VERVE IS TRY SHE'S A SUPERSTAR, ALL IN THE MIND AND GRAVITY GRAVE - 3 TOP CLASS TUNES BY THE VERVE THAT WERE INITIALLY ONLY RELEASED ON VINYL BACK IN THE EARLY 90S - THEN YOU WILL KNOW WHAT THE NME IS ON ABOUT. S=)

[Christ_air]

^^^^^anyone who likes music needs to wrap their ears around these tunes^^^^^

[bicko19]

Last time i checked...a Storm In Heaven was not released in 2003...

I am so excited, I love the Verve. Hopefully they'll come to Melbourne =D

[THE BULGE]

all this argueing ahy if you dont like them why bother and to top it i seen them in november and my oh my it was absolutley mind blowing i dont know that many of there songs so i thought id be at a loss but the had crazy chemistry and a light show to almost put pink floyd to shame! just wow

[GeekStinkBreath]

They don't even have composer credits on their most well known song, Jagger and Richards do.

[The_Mullet]

Try "Sonnet" "The Drugs Don't Work" "Lucky Man" etc.

Waaaay more than just a one hit wonder.

[g-tarist]

i'm really happy for The Verve. Pretty good for a one-hit-wonder band. I guess this new album is a way to get out of fruit picking during the summer. more power to em'. hope they pull off another fluke.

[Altered_Carbon]

magic_tree wrote:

Forgot to say.....Led Zep and The Verve? Zep hands down. Different leagues. How many Verve songs will you remember in 20 years?

More songs than I'll remember from Zeppelin. The Verve are far more varied.
And just because they don't put Zeppelin in the shade, doesn't mean they don't deserve to.
As for the people crying 'one hit wonder', so what? Since when do songs have to be hits to be good?
This is the best New(old)s I've heard in a while.

[guns4ever]

i think whoever wrote this put the band on a little too much of a pedestal. they had one good song really.

[latinosuperstud]

i always thought the drugs dont work was by radiohead...

[Confetti]

DirkLance wrote:

No need to be defensive skagitup, like i said, I can't really make an opinion either way, I know NOTHING about them. I just find it weird to have a band praised in such a high manner and I know one single (Bittersweet Symphony) which IS considered great here in the US, but to many people, it might be labeled a one hit wonder.

I only knew Stairway to heaven and didnt even remember how it goes when i finally tryed out Led Zeppelin ^^
Can i call them a one hit wonder?

Verve had many hits from the Urban hyms album. Bittersweet Symphony just made them huge.

[Ataxia]

GeekStinkBreath wrote:

They don't even have composer credits on their most well known song, Jagger and Richards do.

And do you know why? Because Jagger and Richards deemed that the Verve had used the orchestral loop too much and so demanded the royalties and the song-credits. Richard Ashcroft penned the entire song; it's just that the Rolling Stones have claimed it as their own because of that famous intro. Richard Ashcroft commented on this:

After losing the composer credits to the song, Richard Ashcroft commented, "This is the best song [Mick] Jagger and [Keith] Richards have written in 20 years."

[Ataxia]

@ Magic_Tree. Hmm, let's see... Bittersweet Symphony; The Drugs Don't Work; Lucky Man; Sonnet; This Is Music. Not to mention some of Ashcroft's solo stuff. To be honest, I can't name more than [three?] Led Zep songs. The Verve will stand the test of time, that is for sure.

[spazzymagee]

"an industrial town in Greater Manchester county"

[spazzymagee]

"an industrial town in Greater Manchester county"

[mattyp90]

The Verve are back.

[clazz]

A lot of places refer to bands in a singular sense. I prefer saying 'are', but 'is' is also correct. Still think it sounds stupid though!

And what's with the headline, anyway? Didn't they do a UK tour a few months ago? So the fact they're back is hardly top news...

[DirkLance]

Confetti wrote:

DirkLance wrote:

No need to be defensive skagitup, like i said, I can't really make an opinion either way, I know NOTHING about them. I just find it weird to have a band praised in such a high manner and I know one single (Bittersweet Symphony) which IS considered great here in the US, but to many people, it might be labeled a one hit wonder.


I only knew Stairway to heaven and didnt even remember how it goes when i finally tryed out Led Zeppelin ^^
Can i call them a one hit wonder?

Verve had many hits from the Urban hyms album. Bittersweet Symphony just made them huge.

There are far too many people who care more on this thread for you to be arguing with. I don't think my fair and calm logic precedented itself in enough of a stance for you to shoot back at me about Zep...

Considering I never really said anything toward one band or the other, eh, I don't really have anything to say to your comment.

[DirkLance]

Oh, btw, NO you cannot call Zep that...Bittersweet Symphony is the only song here in the states that the average person could recognize by ear perhaps without knowing song title or band name. Zep has many classic songs, and Stairway is not the most recognizable one. It's only great to guitar enthusiasts, I think.

Whole Lotta Love, Immigrant Song...Black Dog, Rock and Roll...perhaps Trampled Underfoot, and definitely Kashmir. At least those SONGS, just by the sound would be known by the large majority of people who scan their televisions and ESPECIALLY the radio during the course of their daily life. If we were to make a pie chart on global radio play of Zep vs. The Verve, Zep would probably eclipse them.

So there's your durn argument. And note I never said the song was a one hit wonder just because it was their only BIG SONG. But when it's the only song a LARGE majority of people know from the band, SOME people will call it a one hit wonder. In fact, many people will. SO it's not like I made the rules. It's how media works, and there's not anything you or me can do about it.

I know there are a few HUGE Verve fans here right now but your fandom can't win this argument. The response of the media and population to LZ vs. the Verve is enough to show that it's only common sense. Stairway's solo is named one of the most famous in any credible periodical that makes a list. Look at the top tab on this site! What is it? I'll let you find that out...but I don't see the Verve in that WHOLE LIST.

I'm sure they're great, but the Verve are NOT as famous as Zep...it's that simple, no matter what you say whilst wearing a Verve T-Shirt and clutching your copy of Urban Hymns which I'm sure is signed by Richard Ashcroft the GOD himself...I won't be convinced.

And don't think this is fandom coming from me. Zep is FAR from my favorite band. I just know logic when I see it.

*checked*