NME 30th October 2004 Issue



HERE COMES YOUR MANI



Roses reunite onstage in Manchester... with a little help from Noel.

After a wait of almost ten years, Stone Roses fans in Manchester finally had their wishes fulfilled last week. Not since the Roses played at the Manchester Apollo in 1995 has Ian Brown sung tunes by his old band in the city they were born. But after classics such as 'She Bangs The Drums' and 'I Am The Resurrection' for the first time in summer, it was expected that he'd perform them when he returned to the Apollo (October 18). What wasn't expected was a guest appearance from Noel Gallagher and an onstage reunion with Mani that sent the fanatical audience into hysterics.

Gallagher joined Brown for 'Keep What Ya Got' before Mani came onto the stage for a show-stopping finale. The pair hugged and waved to the audience, although they didn't play any Roses classics together.



Backstage after the gig, Brown was buzzing. "All the venues that we've played, they're now all open-air venues," he grinned. "We've taken the roof off everywhere. The love that I get in Manchester is flabbergasting, know what I mean? Amazing. I've got to say that 15 years ago I never expected to be here 15 years later, solo, raising the rook, I didn't expect that. Proper Brucey bonus!

"Those Roses songs were written in Manchester, on the dole in 1987-'88. Great songs, aren't they? Because they still stand up. They still sound fresh, still sound vibrant. I'd love to hear a brand new act come out with an LP as strong as that. Manchester put us there. We did a show against (anti-gay legislation) Clause 28 in 1988 and it was at that show Liam (Gallagher) said he wanted to be a singer, it was at that show that Manchester was telling us, 'Go and do it, go and smash it.' Manchester was wanting us to do it. It was at that show that I realised that the city's right behind us. We can't fail. Life's about points and circles innit?"



Noel Gallagher also appeared at Brown's second gig at the Apollo, the following night, and at the London Carling Brixton Academy (October 21). He had been due to go to the US to work on the next Oasis album but the trip was delayed by a few days.



Brown explained: "Noel said, when we rehearsed for a couple of radio shows recently, 'I might as well leave my amp and guitar with you and take it on your van so then I can just turn up at any time.' He was due to go to America but, as fate had it, he didn't get in so he's here and it make it more exciting. He got a great reception didn't he? I love it! When I guest with UNKLE I get a reception like that. When you're on someone else's show there's no pressure, it's just the pure buzz of the music." UNKLE also made an appearance on Brown's tour, with DJ James Lavelle on the decks for 'Be There' and 'REIGN' during the encore in Manchester.

Brown's next single is likely to be 'Time Is My Everything', released in January. A new UK tour is planned for next year.






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