Stone Roses Play First Show in 16 Years & Footage Surfaces Online

Three fan-shot videos of the Stone Roses’ comeback show in Warrington last night (Wednesday 23rd May) have emerged online. The clips, which show the reunited band performing set opener ‘I Wanna Be Adored’, ‘Made Of Stone’ and ‘Waterfall’ can be viewed by scrolling down to the bottom of the page and clicking.

The band played a rapturously received comeback show at Warrington Parr Hall. The Manchester legends, who announced last year that they had reunited, played an 11-song set, with no encore, but did include classics ‘Sally Cinammon’, ‘She Bangs The Drums’ and set closer ‘Love Spreads’ in the set. They didn’t debut any new material.

In attendance was former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, who took his seat on the balcony to a crowd chant of ‘Liam!’, and found time to Tweet excitably during the gig: ‘The Stone Roses are back!’ Also in the crowd was Cressa, the unofficial ‘fifth Stone Rose’, who told the NME he was delighted the band had decided to reform: “It’s just good everyone’s friends again.”

Frontman Ian Brown’s vocals were strong throughout and the band seemed well rehearsed and relaxed in each other’s company. During ‘Waterfall’, Brown said something in guitarist John Squire’s ear, and the pair exchanged a smile. Bassist Mani in particular seemed in high spirits, sticking his tongue out at the audience. Drummer Reni, meanwhile, wore a headset microphone and played a double bass drum emblazoned with the lemon logo familiar from ‘The Stone Roses’ artwork.

Brown had harsh words for those in the crowd who insisted on filming/tweeting through the gig, rather than “living in the moment”. Aside from that, though, he bantered cheerfully with the intimate, 1,500-strong crowd. Before ‘She Bangs The Drums’ he quipped: “Are we in tune yet? There’s loads of girls in here.” Stone Roses biographer John Robb commented to NME: “They sounded great. But how could they not with the world’s best drummer?”

There were no new songs, but there were a few surprises. At the end of ‘Love Spreads’, Brown broke into a rap, which appeared to feature the phrase, “Stone Roses up on the stage”. The band then left the stage, sharing hugs and taking a bow, with Brown telling the audience: “Thank you, we’ll be back.” The lights went up, and Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’ started playing over the PA. Film-maker Shane Meadows then went onstage to film the crowd.

The gig had been announced last minute, just hours before show time, via the band’s official site. Fans were able to collect one wristband per person from the Warrington Pyramid box office (next to Warrington Parr Hall) from 4pm yesterday. To qualify, fans needed to take a Stone Roses CD inlay cover, record sleeve, official band T-shirt or Heaton Park ticket with them. From talking to fans in the crowd, however, it was clear that many locals had known about the gig for some time, but had been sworn to secrecy.

Stone Roses Setlist was:
I Wanna Be Adored
Mersey Paradise
Sally Cinnamon
Made Of Stone
(Song For My) Sugar Spun Sister
Where Angels Play
Shoot You Down
Tightrope
Waterfall
She Bangs The Drums
Love Spreads

The show will act as warm-up for the band’s summer European tour, which kicks off in Barcelona next month. The band will then play their first scheduled UK shows in Manchester’s Heaton Park on 29th & 30th June along with 1st July.

Stone Roses – I Wanna Be Adored (Snippet)

Stone Roses – Made of Stone (Snippet)

Stone Roses – Waterfall (Snippet)