SWLNbrown - By Douglas Whitbread Former Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown has sparked fury amongst fans after being accused of performing a ‘karaoke’ style gig - without a band. The Sally Cinnamon singer took the stage for the roughly 90-minute sold-out set at the O2 Academy in Leeds last night (Sunday) as part of a UK-wide headline tour. But concertgoers were left fuming when he began his performance missing a backing group, with one social media user writing they’d spent “£40 to see a karaoke act”. Fans also criticized the 90s music icon for “butchering” his own songs during the concert, with one disappointed attendee admitting: “I’m a lifelong fan but it was bad”. Others on social media demanded their money back, quipping his signature tune F.E.A.R now means “For Everyone A Refund after fans voiced their anger”. Writing on Twitter, one concertgoer said: “Gutted to see @ianbrown turn up to his £40 a ticket, sold out gig at Leeds tonight WITH NO BAND. “I’m a lifelong fan but it was bad. #ianbrown does karaoke and butchers his own tunes.” Another simply added: “£40 to see a karaoke act.” While a third said: “Wow, that's horrific. A massive Roses fan but think he needs to retire gracefully now like.” Brown was performing at the first show of his ten-date headline tour yesterday, which will take him to Scotland and Manchester, before finishing in London on October 8. But some fans who were planning to see the English psychedelic rocker in the coming weeks were already voicing their concern at his “karaoke” style set on social media. One wrote on Twitter: “Jesus. We at Newcastle Thursday! Deflated already.” Another added: “I’m going to see him tomorrow night for the first time and I really don’t know what to make of this at all. It’s not what I expected!!” However, some who were at the gig were quick to defend the front man, saying concertgoers should have expected to see him perform without a band. One wrote on Twitter: “It’s Ian Brown solo artist - the clue’s in the title! “Thought he was brilliant and so was Dermo - absolute bonus to hear Northside tunes! Another added: “Saw Ian Brown in Leeds last night. “If you are a fan of Ian Brown's solo stuff and you have tickets for his tour, you'll love it but don't go expecting Stone Roses songs or a backing band as he has neither. Decent night though.” In the past, Brown has been a vocal anti-vaxxer and Covid-19 sceptic. And previously, he refused to go ahead with a headline slot at the Neighbourhood Weekender festival, in Warrington, as attendees needed vaccine passports to attend. Reacting to this, one social media user joked that the front man had performed without a band because his group had decided to get their Covid-19 vaccines. They wrote: “I'm guessing his band had all had their Covid 19 vaccinations and Ian wanted nothing to do with them.” Ian Brown's representatives have been approached for comment. ENDS
