Rick Astley in Cologne

Rick Astley is an English pop and soul singer, born in Newton-le-Willows in 1966. His debut single, “Never Gonna Give You Up,” and the album Whenever You Need Somebody established his best-known dance-pop sound, while “Together Forever” and “Cry for Help” became further signature songs. “Never Gonna Give You Up” later found a new audience through the internet prank known as rickrolling, and the album 50 marked his return to recording after a long break. Rick Astley joined Take That as a special guest on the 2019 Greatest Hits Live tour, performing in arenas and stadiums around the UK. At Glastonbury in 2023, he made his festival debut on the Pyramid Stage, then performed a set of songs by the Smiths with Blossoms at Woodsies.