Richard Ashcroft has described music as "the most powerful at form in the world".
Richard Ashcroft
The former Verve front man - who has unveiled his new single 'Surprised By The Joy' on Monday morning (10.09.18) - has gushed over the impact music can have as something to unite people at a time where so many feel divided.
Speaking to Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2, he said: "This is why music is still the most powerful art form in the world. It's something that unifies us, it's not something that polarises us.
"And right now, that's what these gigs - great concerts, great artists - that's all we've got really, because everything else just seems to separate us. Music's really powerful right now, and really important more than ever. I'm excited to be part of it."
The 46-year-old singer will release his new solo album 'Natural Rebel' next month, and he has explained what inspired him with his latest track.
He added: "I think this song is about that in a way, as I look on a personal level. There's so much going on in the world, there's so much stuff that's polarising us, dividing us - so much fear.
"And you drown in that, you forget sometimes, and when you get out of that very simple things just give you that joy. It's like, I'm born again every morning."
After his fifth solo album is released on October 19, Richard will head out on a sold-out five night UK tour, featuring shows at Glasgow's Barrowlands, on October 26 Middlesborough Town Hall (28), Nottingham's iconic Rock City venue (29), the Albert Hall in Manchester (31) and a final night at the Kentish Town Forum in London on November 2.
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