Ian Brown fans blast star’s ‘karaoke’ show as ex-Stone Roses frontman kicks off UK headline tour without band
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Ian Brown came in for criticism from some fans after the singer kicked off his UK tour on Sunday night performing with a backing track and no band.
Brown's show, which was at the O2 Academy Leeds, saw the rocker hit the stage for the opening date of his first UK headline tour in over 10 years.
However, fans were unimpressed by the former Stone Roses frontman's performance which was captured on videos that have since circulated online.
It shows the 59-year-old looking a far cry from the rock star of his heyday as he stood almost motionless belting out his songs on an all-but-empty stage in front of a subdued crowd.
Can somebody let Ian Brown know that even when you don't have a couple of guitars, a bass, a drum kit and a keyboard player...you can still do something more interesting than shuffling around an empty stage? https://t.co/PsNBgzeQs2
— Mild Mannered Max (@MildManneredMax) September 26, 2022
The poster of the video, which garnered the most views, tweeted: “Feel a bit bad about this now, I was just so disappointed.
“We all know Ian can’t sing but there’s always a band to bring it together. Some onstage chemistry, the drummer’s energy, the guitarist’s musicianship. I think if there’s no band you should tell people up front”
Another attendee tweeted: "Gutted to see @ianbrown 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.
He added: “Ian Brown does karaoke and butchers his own tunes. Most were too p****d to care but I had to get out after this one. Longsight M13 was a highlight.”
Another fan wrote: “Me and my wife lasted 36 minutes exactly before walking out. I think the auto tune on the microphone lasted 3 songs.
“Real shame as I was looking forward to seeing him solo as only ever seen stone roses. No band at all was a let-down.”
Bleedin waster! I want my money back Ian "Karaoke" Brown.
— Lars Ulpoor (@nob_what) September 26, 2022
"£40 to see a karaoke act," complained another, while a fourth wrote: "If Ian Brown is playing live with a backing track then he’s proper ripping the fans off and should offer them a refund."
However, some fans were pleased with the experience. One wrote: "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."
Another claimed: “The crowd loved every minute of that last night, don’t believe the hate….”
