The Verve’s Richard Ashcroft at Dubai’s Party in the Park

Ready for some bittersweet symphonies? The Verve founder and lead singer Richard Ashcroft has been confirmed to join the line-up at the first ever Party in the Park at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on November 14. Ashcroft, 43, will join another British singer Lily Allen and South African fusion band Freshlyground at the event to celebrate What’s On magazine’s 35th anniversary.

Singer-songwriter Ashcroft rocketed to fame in the ’90s as lead singer of The Verve, whose soaring violin-led track Bitter Sweet Symphony became a massive global hit in 1997. The band split in 1999 and the Ivor Novello award winner released his first solo album, Alone with Everybody, which reached the number one spot and went platinum in the UK. His talent has won him the respect of his peers. Noel Gallagher of Oasis famously wrote the track Cast No Shadow about the singer, and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has described him as “the best singer in the world”.

The day-long Party in the Park kicks off at 2pm and runs until midnight, with multiple stages. There will also be the Hype Clubhouse, showcasing international guest DJs.

Early bird tickets start at Dh295 and are available at platinumlist.net and virginmegastore.me. For a full line-up, go to partyinthepark.ae.