Wigan singer-songwriter looks forward to sharing the stage with idol Richard Ashcroft

Maxwell Varey will be supporting Richard Ashcroft at his sold-out show at Robin Park Arena on July 20 alongside Cast and Red Rum Club.

The gig is one of five spectacular nights of live music this summer as a series of top acts take to the stage, including James Arthur, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and The Lathums.

It will be the 21-year-old’s biggest show in his career so far.

Growing up in Wigan, Maxwell often listened to the Verve at home and is looking forward to sharing the stage with one of his idols.

He said: “When the gig was announced, I sent it over to my manager and agents and got them to see what they could do.

"The offer came through to support Richard the day that I announced it, it was very quick.

"I was buzzing when it came through.

"Growing up in Wigan and having big music fans in my mum and dad, I grew up listening to The Verve’s and Richard’s music.

"I was always a massive fan, he is a massive legend in Wigan and in the Northern music scene.

"He was always someone I looked up to and its such an honour to share the stage with him.

"I couldn’t wish for a better first big gig.

"It will be by far the most people I’ve played to and the biggest stage I’ve performed on.

"It’s amazing I get to do it in Wigan and with one of my heroes.

"I feel really lucky to be a part of it and its an honour to play with him”

Maxwell began playing guitar since he was around five years old and started to write and produce music aged 10.

He later went on to join a band which separated during the pandemic which led to him going solo.

Maxwell says his sound is influenced by the likes of Tame Impala and Mac DeMarco.

He is hoping for good weather and that everyone gets down early and supports all the acts performing.

Maxwell added: “I didn’t really have any musicians in my family but everyone was massive music fans and then my granddad got into playing guitar.

"I always around guitar music, I got into it really young.

"At 14 I got into my first band and playing shows up and down the country.

"When it lockdown hit the gigs stopped and the lads were a lot older than me so they got into jobs so I decided to go on my own.

"Ever since, I’ve thrown my whole life into it, I decided not to go to university and got my own studio in a storage container, I’ve become fully obsessed.

"In terms of my sound I tend to be a narrator about my surroundings, so I talk about the struggles about growing up in a small working class towns and how men don’t tend to talk about their mental health very much.

"I wanted to talk about it and make it more acceptable.

"I’ve looked forward to getting to perform on big stages.

"It’ll be amazing to see familiar faces in the crowd.

"Hopefully its a sunny day and people get down early to support those supporting him.”