The Verve Rock Coachella

Wigan boys take LA by storm

27 April 2008 - Ten years since they last performed in the States, The Verve took to the stage at Coachella this weekend.

Original guitarist Nick McCabe re-joined the line up and Los Angeles rocked as the band played classics such as ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ and ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’.

The Wigan boys thrilled fans with songs including 'Lucky Man', 'Rolling People' and 'Butterfly'.

Before frontman Richard Ashcroft announced they were leaving the LA desert to head to a show in Las Vegas, he dedicated ‘Bitersweet Symphony’ to Hunter S Thompson.

The Verve have come back and they’re better
Alan McGee

But, it was the surprise debut of a new track that got everybody talking.

Music veteran and former Creation records boss Alan McGee gave his seal of approval to the track.

He told 6 Music:

“It could have been great, it could have been terrible, but on this occasion it was absolutely brilliant. You never know when bands reform what they’re going to be like. The Pixies came back and they were better. And The Verve have come back and they’re better”.

We can check them out for ourselves when The Verve headline Glastonbury.

Louise Hulland