"Ad Astra" Rising ASH Celebrate Past, Present, and Future at Sold-Out Scala Show
- Desh Kapur
- Sep 14
- 3 min read
Scala London - 10th September 2025
WORDS / IMAGES ALAN BRYCE
Formed in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland in 1992, ASH have carved out one of the most enduring careers in British rock. Their 1996 breakthrough 1977 topped the UK Albums Chart and delivered a string of era-defining singles including “Kung-Fu,” “Girl from Mars,” and “Goldfinger.” Following years of international touring and a stint as a four-piece with guitarist Charlotte Hatherley, the band continued to evolve with albums such as Free All Angels (2001) and Meltdown (2004), before returning to their original trio lineup in 2006. More recent releases—Kablammo! (2015), Islands (2018), and Race the Night (2023)—have cemented their reputation for combining infectious hooks with punk-driven urgency. Now, as they prepare to release their ninth album Ad Astra on October 3, complete with guest appearances from Blur’s Graham Coxon, ASH are once again proving their staying power with a UK tour and international dates lined up into 2026.
At London’s Scala, the second of two sold-out nights unfolded in defiance of a city-wide tube strike. The venue was rammed, the atmosphere electric, and from the moment ASH launched into opener “A Life Less Ordinary,” the sense of occasion was undeniable. What followed was a career-spanning set that balanced nostalgia with a glimpse into the band’s next chapter.
Fan favourites like “Angel Interceptor” and “Orpheus” drew roars of recognition, while new material from Ad Astra—including “Which One Do You Want” and lead single “Give Me Back My World”—was greeted with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for established classics. The latter, in particular, already felt like a future setlist staple. Elsewhere, the band leaned into variety: “Shining Light” shimmered, “Uncle Pat” recalled their scrappy early days, and an unexpected cover of Harry Belafonte’s “Jump in the Line” turned the floor into a party. By the time they closed the main set with “Kung Fu” and “Girl from Mars,” the room was at boiling point.
The encore raised the stakes further with the arrival of the legendary Graham Coxon from Blur. His chemistry with the band was immediate, injecting fresh energy into a raucous run of Strauss’s “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” a thunderous “Goldfinger,” and his own “Freakin’ Out.” Two more Ad Astra tracks—“Fun People” and the title track itself—showcased ASH’s knack for evolving without losing sight of their core identity. The finale, a euphoric “Burn Baby Burn,” left the crowd in full voice, a reminder of the band’s enduring ability to turn a gig into a communal celebration.
Wheeler’s vocals carried both grit and melody, Hamilton’s kinetic basslines dominated the stage with wild energy, and McMurray’s relentless drumming drove the set with machine-like precision. Together, they played with the urgency of a band half their age. With Coxon in the mix, there was an added unpredictability that kept the performance fresh and alive.
What truly defined the night, however, was the bond between band and audience. Every chorus was sung back with conviction, every cheer felt like a salute to ASH’s three-decade journey. It was a performance that confirmed their dual strengths: the ability to honour their past while still pushing forward.
With Ad Astra imminent, ASH are not just looking back on their legacy—they’re actively building on it. Judging by the energy at Scala, their ninth album could mark yet another high point in a career that shows no sign of slowing down.
SET LIST
A Life Less Ordinary
Angel Interceptor
Orpheus
Which One Do You Want?
Give Me Back My World
Confessions in the Pool
Shining Light
Oh Yeah
Sometimes
Uncle Pat
Wildsurf
Jump in the Line (Harry Belafonte cover)
Braindead
Kung Fu
Girl From Mars
Encore
Also sprach Zarathustra, op. 30 (Richard Strauss cover) (with Graham Coxon)
Goldfinger (with Graham Coxon)
Freakin' Out (Graham Coxon cover) (with Graham Coxon)
Fun People (with Graham Coxon)
Ad Astra (with Graham Coxon)
Burn Baby Burn (with Graham Coxon)
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