International superstars set for shows in unexpected town

Four international superstars have been announced to headline Wigan’s Robin Park arena in July 2024.

The 11,500 capacity arena, a stone’s throw away from the DW stadium, will welcome hometown heroes Richard Ashcroft and the Lathums. Further performances come from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and James Arthur.

Announced by Wigan Warriors and SJM concerts, the shows are set to be the biggest in Wigan since The Verve played Haigh Hall in 1998.

All four artists are set to play the arena from the 17th to the 21st of July 2024. The first of Ashcroft’s two dates sold out within four hours.

Prior to this, Robin Park arena has been used to host fan-zones on matchdays and the Wigan Warriors women’s team.

Why Wigan?

The music scene in Wigan has experienced a boom over recent years with the emergence of the Lathums. The band have recorded two UK number-one albums have supported One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson on tour.

They’ll play the Robin Park arena in their biggest-ever hometown show on July 19th 2024. They are joined by Brit-nominee Jake Bugg and rising star Brooke Combe.

Additionally, in December 2023, Mike Danson a Wigan born billionaire purchased the remaining shares in Wigan Warriors. This follows his acquisition of Wigan Athletic in June.

The last big Wigan show

Richard Ashcroft hasn’t played a show a hometown show since the 24th of May 1998, where the Verve played to a crowd of 35,000 in Wigan’s Haigh Hall.

Wigan Warriors chief executive, Kris Radlinski said: “The 24th of May 1998 remains etched in the memories of many Wiganers. It was a moment that Wigan created as a lasting, “I was there” memory for the town.

“Fast forward 26 years, and one of the most iconic rock and roll singers of all time, Mr. Richard Ashcroft, is set to make a triumphant return to Wigan. This is a realisation of a goal we’ve pursued for nearly a decade.”