Stone Roses’ frontman Ian Brown criticised by fans after playing sold out gig without a band
His performance in Leeds was described by fans as a “karaoke” set in which he “butchers” his own tracks
The Stone Roses singer, Ian Brown has left fans confused and angry after playing the opening night of his first UK tour in a decade without a band.
Performing at the O2 Academy in Leeds on Sunday night, Brown sang along to a backing track of the band’s classic songs alone on an otherwise empty stage.
Since the gig, fans have been posting on social media their thoughts on the solo show with many calling the 23-song set “karaoke” in which he “butchers” his own tracks.
Another fan claimed Brown responded to a drink being thrown from the audience by shouting: “Bad move that, I've just put a curse on your first born dickhead.”
Not everyone was upset with the performance though, with others saying he was “ on top form”.
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On average, tickets were sold for £40 with some concert-goers paying more and others walking out mid-gig.
For instance, a fan tweeted: “Gutted to see Ian Brown turn up to his £40 a ticket, sold out gig at leeds tonight WITH NO BAND.
“I’m a life long fan but it was bad. Ian Brown does karaoke and butchers his own tunes. Most were too pissed to care but I had to get out after this one.”
Another fan tweeted: “Anyone who has Ian Brown tickets for the tour, sell them now. Talk about desecrating the memory of the Stone Roses – he’s just done it [in] one evening.”
Others say: “The last person you’d want to hear sing Ian Brown karaoke is Ian Brown”.
Last night Brown performed in Glasgow, with more favourable reviews emerging on social media.
Since his performance, he has tweeted: “GLASGOW. HATERS HATE AND LOVERS LOVE!”
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Tonight, Brown will return to the stage at the O2 Academy in Edinburgh with tickets still available here.
In March 2021, Ian Brown was due to headline Neighbourhood Weekender in Warrington yet cancelled due to healthy and safety requirements relating to COVID, describeding the use of vaccine passports as “the new nazi normal”.
Back in February 2021, he tweeted: “I will NEVER sing to a crowd who must be vaccinated as a condition of attendance. NEVER EVER!”.
Watch a clip from Ian Brown’s performance on Sunday in Leeds below.
Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Video and Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter