ARTICLE BY CHARLOTTE MOSS
PHOTOS BY MIKE DARE
APRIL 26 | LAS VEGAS—When British psychedelic rock band The Verve officially ended in 1999, the news wasn’t too big of a shock, as the band members were often reported to have tense, troubled relationships, particularly singer Richard Ashcroft and guitarist Nick McCabe. The shocking part was that this split followed the release of the band’s third album, Urban Hymns, which happened to be their most accomplished effort and their most commercially successful release. Following the decade since that 1998 album, The Verve announced last year that they would reunite with the original four members: Richard, Nick, Simon Jones and Peter Salisbury.
The band scheduled a reunion U.K. tour in November and December and for the U.S., a headlining slot for Coachella as well as performances at a select few cities. Due to the limited tour schedule, fans from across the country flew to this Vegas theater in order to witness the long-anticipated reunion of the beloved British group. As a result, the audience tonight was almost entirely die-hard Verve fans who were full of requests, ranging from particular songs to the more specific “Make more albums!” and “Stay together!” demands. Many were especially excited to see Nick, who quit before the band’s 1998 U.S. Urban Hymns tour. Thus, many in the audience were witnessing the four members together for the first time.
