Ashcroft blames voice for Splendour walk-out

02 August 2010

Richard Ashcroft has blamed his failing voice for his now-infamous walk-out during his Splendour in the Grass performance last night.

The former frontman of The Verve and his new band The United Nations of Sound may be eligible for the world’s shortest set after making it only halfway through his opening song. According to eyewitnesses, Ashcroft knocked over his mic stand and hurled his tambourine into the drum kit before jumping down toward the front barricade and then walking backstage. A representative from Frontier Touring was forced to go on stage and apologise.

Media reports suggest Ashcroft may have been hit with a water bottle or had an issue with a photographer, while others speculated he was disgruntled with the crowd turn-out due to a scheduling clash against headliners The Pixies and Empire of the Sun.

However, Ashcroft’s management today attributed the abandoned performance to Ashcroft’s throat, publicly stating:

“After three gigs in two days, including a two hour show in Sydney on Saturday night, we knew Richard would have to look after his voice for the Splendour in the Grass set so we cancelled all promotional activity for Sunday. It wasn’t until he got on stage on Sunday night at Splendour that he realised his voice wouldn’t make it through the set.

“I was watching the show from the sound desk and was surprised when he appeared to missing the high notes on his opening track “Are You Ready”. I could sense his total frustration at the situation.

“Immediately following the show, Richard sought advice from a doctor and was ordered not to speak or sing for 72 hours. Today he is consulting a specialist in Queensland.”

Fans however weren't so happy with the explanation, posting angry comments on Facebook like "Losing your voice? Bull shit, chav. What about all of us who had come to see you and had been waiting years for you to come to Australia, and all we get is one song and a Liam Gallagher-esque tantrum. Pull up your pants and pull your finger out. Has been" and "you wanker. grow up. storm off stage. what a pathetic loser." 

Last week, Frontier announced Ashcroft’s Perth show scheduled for this Wednesday had to be cancelled due to “extra commitments” arising in Japan, his next stop after Australia.