On a crisp Sheffield night in the thick of gig-season, the Foundry filled early — and with good reason. Coach Party, wrapping up their run as Ash’s tour support, drew the crowd in long before headliner o’clock. It felt less like a warm-up and more like an essential part of the evening.
The Isle of Wight quartet were clever and genuinely great, stitching together shoegaze shimmer and sharp-edged indie into something that felt both nostalgic and fresh. Swirling guitars, hook-laden choruses and those tight, punchy rhythms made an instant impression. You could sense people nudging their mates with that “these lot are onto something” look. By the time they hit their final song, the room was properly packed — and fully invested.
Ash then strode onstage with the swagger of a band who know exactly what they do best. And they delivered: brilliant tunes, great riffs and those power-packed basslines that shake the walls of any venue they enter. Mark Hamilton, never one to dial it down, was worth the ticket price on his own — a kinetic, rumbling presence whose bass work remains one of the great joys of an Ash gig.
Tim Wheeler’s guitar work? Impeccable. Effortless yet razor-sharp, switching from melodic sparkle to full-throttle crunch in a heartbeat. The set flowed beautifully between new cuts and beloved classics, creating that rare feeling where every corner of the room moves as one. Thirty years in, and they still make it look fun — suspiciously fun, in fact.
Ash’s set was a masterclass in pacing and payoff. They opened with the cosmic swell of “Zarathustra” before tearing into “Fun People,” a new favourite that instantly lit the fuse. From there it was a joyous ricochet through their catalogue — the euphoric rush of “A Life Less Ordinary,” the golden-era sing-alongs of “Goldfinger” and “Wild Surf,” and the irresistible bounce of “Oh Yeah.” Slower moments like “Shining Light” and “Deadly Love” offered breathers without ever losing momentum, before the closing stretch went full-throttle with “Kung Fu,” the thunderous “Orpheus,” and a triumphant “Girl From Mars.” The encore, capped by “My Favourite Ghost” and the still-electrifying “Burn Baby Burn,” sent the Foundry home glowing.
When I interviewed Tim earlier in the year, I put it to him that being in Ash must be one of the most enjoyable jobs imaginable. Based on tonight’s evidence, both of us were absolutely right. Ash still radiate that sense of joy — three musicians playing in perfect unison, delighted to be exactly where they are.
A night that celebrated their past, proved their present, and hinted at a future still burning bright.
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