19 June 2025 (gig)
24 June 2025
The Nocturne Live series promises a unique marriage of music and heritage, and its opening night delivered on that promise with searing intensity. As temperatures in Oxfordshire soared past 30 degrees, the magnificent façade of Blenheim Palace (minus the ongoing roof restoration work) provided a stunning, almost surreal, backdrop for an evening steeped in Britpop royalty. The atmosphere in the Great Court was buzzing, aided by an excellent array of food and drink stalls - a delicious duck salad bowl providing some much-needed fuel for the night ahead.
Kicking things off were The Zutons, who proved to be the perfect act to get the sun-drenched crowd moving. Their infectious energy was palpable, and frontman Dave McCabe’s easy rapport with the audience set a joyous tone. While "You Will, You Won’t" was a welcome slice of indie nostalgia, it was, of course, "Valerie" that sparked the first mass singalong of the evening, a track made globally famous by Amy Winehouse but reclaimed tonight by its originators with gusto.
Next, The Lightning Seeds brought their brand of pure, melodic pop to the stage. Frontman Ian Broudie, clearly taken with the scenery, commented on what a "lovely venue" it was, and he wasn't wrong. His band proceeded to deliver a masterclass in feel-good anthems. A closing run of "Lucky You," "Sugar Coated Iceberg," "Pure," and "The Life of Riley" had the audience in high spirits before they launched into "Three Lions." The resulting euphoric, communal roar was a truly special moment, uniting the crowd in perfect harmony before the main event. One day, it will come home...
As dusk finally settled, the tall silhouette of Richard Ashcroft emerged to a hero's welcome. With a busy year ahead as the main support for the newly-reformed Oasis, Ashcroft is a man with renewed swagger, and he owned the stage with a shamanic intensity. His set was a perfectly curated journey through his illustrious career. Early Verve classics like "Sonnet" and "Space and Time" sat comfortably alongside solo gems like the soulful "A Song for the Lovers."
The emotional core of the set arrived with the hauntingly beautiful "The Drugs Don't Work," its poignant lyrics echoing across the historic courtyard, followed by a triumphant "Lucky Man." But everyone knew what was coming. Returning for the encore, Ashcroft delivered the inevitable, iconic moment. As the opening orchestral strings of "Bitter Sweet Symphony" filled the air, a wave of collective joy swept through the thousands gathered. It was a transcendent finale, the timeless anthem feeling right at home against the grandeur of the palace.
A perfect marriage of artist and setting, and a truly magnificent start to the series.
Photo Credit: Russell Fujak
