Richard Ashcroft Responds to a Fan Shazaming The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony”
In a November 3 interview with The Guardian, British musician Richard Ashcroft reflected on a fan using Shazam to identify The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” during an Oasis concert in Cardiff, Wales. The show took place on July 4 and marked Oasis’s first live performance in 16 years.
“I see that as a beautiful thing,” said Ashcroft. “That’s a brand new fan, joining the team.”
He recalled jokingly telling audiences to “get your Shazams out” at the next show, adding that people should feel comfortable exploring new music without shame. Ashcroft questioned the assumption that everyone must already know every song or artist they hear.
“Why should everyone know everything? They may have only heard that song before England play football on ITV,” he said. “If someone doesn’t recognize a famous painting, so what? We can’t be cultural snobs.”
Ashcroft even suggested he’d enjoy having the fan on stage with her phone while he performs the song, calling the idea “really funny.” He emphasized that performing with Oasis opened opportunities to connect with new listeners and generations of fans.
Author’s Summary
Ashcroft celebrates curiosity in music discovery, viewing Shazam users as new fans rather than outsiders and rejecting the notion of cultural elitism.