The Verve land in US for first time in 10 years

By JAKE COYLE, AP Entertainment Writer

INDIO, Calif. - The Verve played their first concert in the U.S. in ten years, taking the stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts festival.

The psychedelic Brit Pop group played for about an hour as one of the main attractions on Friday, the first day of the three-day Southern California festival. The Verve reunited last summer, but had previously only played a handful of sold-out concerts in Europe.

On Friday, frontman Richard Ashcroft thanked "the hardcore" for coming out to see them. The band was sure to play its biggest hit, "Bittersweet Symphony," but Ashcroft made it clear they weren't only on a nostalgia trip.

While introducing one of the Verve's new songs, "Sit and Wonder," Ashcroft noted that many reformed bands don't write new music.

"But that's what we're all about," said Ashcroft. "So let's make some music."

The Verve, who plan to put out a new album this year, formed in 1989.

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