Ash delighted festival-goers at Kendal Calling 2026 by appearing as a surprise act, initially billed as a tribute band called 'Rehash'. The real band, comprising Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton, and Rick McMurray, performed fan favourites including 'Kung Fu', 'Girl From Mars', and 'Burn Baby Burn' at the Tim Peaks Diner area.
During their set, the band was presented with a Gold Disc for their 1996 hit single 'Girl From Mars'. To achieve a Gold Disc in the UK, a single must sell 400,000 units, a figure tracked by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and including audio streaming data.
Drummer Rick McMurray was the only band member aware of the Gold Disc surprise. He stated that the timing aligned perfectly with 'Girl From Mars' going gold, marking their first single to do so. The surprise appearance and award coincided with the 31st anniversary of the song.
The surprise performance and Gold Disc presentation follow Ash's announcement of a 30th-anniversary reissue of their debut album '1977', a new tour, and a special livestreamed concert. Their upcoming tour dates begin next month, with shows scheduled across Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and Europe.