Ash perform in disguise before receiving gold discs for ‘Girl From Mars’

Ash caught fans off guard at Kendal Calling by appearing under the name of a tribute act. The performance also included a surprise presentation of gold discs celebrating their popular single ‘Girl From Mars’.

The 2026 festival was held at Lowther Deer Park near Penrith over the weekend, with Wolf Alice, Biffy Clyro, Primal Scream, Scissor Sisters and The Libertines among the artists performing.

The schedule featured an appearance from Rehash, which was advertised as a tribute act from Cumbria dedicated to alternative rock group Ash. Festivalgoers were shocked when the genuine band, consisting of singer and guitarist Tim Wheeler, bassist Mark Hamilton and drummer Rick McMurray, walked onto the stage for an unannounced performance.

Appearing at the Tim Peaks Diner area, operated by The Charlatans singer Tim Burgess, the three musicians treated the crowd to favourites such as ‘Kung Fu’, ‘Girl From Mars’ and ‘Burn Baby Burn’.

While the group had already stunned the audience, Wheeler and Hamilton received an unexpected moment of their own when Ash were awarded gold discs for their successful 1996 track ‘Girl From Mars’.

A UK single must achieve 400,000 sales to receive Gold certification, while an album requires 100,000. These totals incorporate audio streaming figures and are monitored and certified by the British Phonographic Industry, also known as the BPI.

McMurray was the only Ash member who knew about the presentation. Explaining why they agreed to secretly perform on Tim Burgess’ Kendal Calling stage, the drummer said: “We go way back with Tim Burgess; our paths have crossed so many times over the years. So when he asked if we’d come and do our thing at the legendary Tim Peaks of course we jumped at the chance.

“As luck would have it, it has lined up perfectly with ‘Girl From Mars’ going gold, our first single to do so,” he added. “Myself and Tim B have put our heads together to present the band with gold discs, unbeknownst to Tim and Mark. Feels like the perfect way to do it. A secret ceremony at a secret show on the week of ‘Girl From Mars’ 31st anniversary.”

Ash with Tim Burgess at Kendall Calling 2026. CREDIT: Press

Burgess also discussed the memorable appearance, saying: “I’ve known Ash since forever and it’s always good to see them. We got talking about a Tim Peaks secret set for Kendal Calling – then one of us had the idea that they could be billed as an Ash tribute band and RehAsh were born.

“Rick mentioned the gold discs for ‘Girl From Mars’ and asked if I would present them, Tim [Wheeler] and Mark didn’t even know that was happening. It was a real honour. All round one of my favourite days ever at Tim Peaks”.

‘Girl From Mars’ appeared on Ash’s first album, ‘1977’, and gave the group their earliest Top 40 success after reaching Number 11 on the UK chart. Wheeler wrote the track when he was only 16, and the band later played it during an appearance on Top Of The Pops in the middle of the 1990s.

The secret Kendal Calling performance and gold disc presentation followed Ash’s announcement of a 30th anniversary edition of ‘1977’. The band have also revealed another tour and hosted a special concert broadcast through a livestream.

Their newly announced schedule covers Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and Europe, beginning next month. Visit here for tickets and find a list of shows below.

Ash’s 2026 headline concert schedule is:

SEPTEMBER

September 4, Rosemount, Perth, Australia
September 5, Freo Social, Fremantle, Australia
September 3, Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide, Australia
September 10, The Tivoli, Brisbane, Australia
September 11, Northcote Theatre, Melbourne, Australia
September 12, Metro Theatre, Sydney, Australia
September 14, Tuning Fork, Aukland, New Zealand
September 15, San Fran, Wellington, New Zealand
September 21, Hard Rock Cafe, Singapore
September 23, Hong Kong Portal, Hong Kong

NOVEMBER

November 10, De Helling, Utrecht, Netherlands
November 11, Gebaude 9, Cologne, Germany
November 12, Hole44, Berlin, Germany
November 15, Effenaar, Small Room, Eindhoven, Netherlands

DECEMBER

December 1, Arena, Torquay, UK
December 2, O2 Guildhall, Southampton, UK
December 4, Tramshed, Cardiff, UK
December 5, UEA, Norwich, UK
December 6, Rock City, Nottingham, UK
December 8, Albert Hall, Manchester, UK
December 9, Olympia, Dublin, Ireland
December 10, Ulster Hall, Belfast, UK
December 12, Boilershop, Newcastle, UK
December 13, Barrowlands, Glasgow, UK
December 15, O2 Institute, Birmingham, UK
December 16, O2 Academy, Leeds, UK
December 17, Roundhouse, London, UK

In September last year, Ash released a double A side single featuring contributions from Blur guitarist Graham Coxon. Soon afterwards, Wheeler appeared alongside Coldplay for ‘Clocks’ during the group’s Wembley Stadium concerts.

The band’s most recent record was ‘Ad Astra’, released in 2025. It marked their ninth studio album and followed their 2023 project ‘Race The Night’.