The support slots Richard Ashcroft secured on the Oasis reunion tour last year have gained him an even bigger audience; if the sold-out concert at Leeds Arena was any measure of the success of the former member of The Verve, then he is probably a bigger deal now than ever before.

As the sole songwriter in the Verve as well as the singer and rhythm guitarist, Ashcroft went on to have a successful solo career. The Oasis link isn’t a tenuous one, as both Ashcroft and the Manchester band share a certain northernness about them (Ashcroft is from Wigan), a confident swagger and, to a certain extent, the same fanbase.

Arriving on stage to The Smiths track Panic gave an indication of where Ashcroft’s influences are from. The legendary Manchester band has been a major influence on many indie guitar bands.

The Verve connection was evident from the start as Ashcroft and his band gifted the audience Weeping Willow and Space and Time, two tracks from their back catalogue.

The arrival of a five-part string section gave Music Is Power a celebratory feel, with Ashcroft observing, "Music took me off the dole in Wigan to tour around the world," speaking sincerely and genuinely.

His performance was often revered, adored and idolised, though with as many venerated songs in his catalogue, it was easy to understand why. Frequently holding up his acoustic guitar in the air, the gesture felt like a heartfelt salute to his audience.

His songs have sometimes borrowed from others, Joan Armatrading’s 1976 hit, Love and Affection, being a good case in point on Ashcroft’s own track Lover.

Naturally his most significant numbers were saved until the end; The Drugs Don’t Work began as an acoustic number before breaking out into a mass singalong from the audience. The power, conviction and emotion in Ashcroft’s voice made the song even more emotional; despite the vastness of the arena, it all felt somehow more personal and direct.

Dedicating Lucky Man to his wife of thirty years, he joked that on the night of their anniversary last year he was otherwise engaged supporting Oasis at Manchester’s Heaton Park!

As far as anniversaries go, tonight had been one where Ashcroft and his band had plenty to celebrate, as three of the best Verve songs came in succession: History, Sonnet and, of course, Bitter Sweet Symphony,becoming a communal one as band and audience became one. “You sound like Yorkshire angels," observed Ashcroft, ending a night that had been blessed with a mutual respect and understanding – and a new generation of fans.

Richard Ashcroft plays the following dates in the north:

6th April - Newcastle Arena
23rd May - Warrington - Neighbourhood Weekender
27th June - Scarborough Open Air Theatre

https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/richard-ashcroft-tickets/artist/955580