mxdwn.co.uk » Ian Brown https://www.mxdwn.co.uk all that matters in music in the UK Fri, 01 May 2026 17:03:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1 John Squire Discusses Injury That Threatened His Ability To Play Guitar https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/john-squire-discusses-injury-that-threatened-his-ability-to-play-guitar/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/john-squire-discusses-injury-that-threatened-his-ability-to-play-guitar/#comments Wed, 17 Jan 2024 21:23:12 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=98836 John Squire of The Stone Roses has shared his struggles following an injury that threatened his ability to play the guitar. Speaking to The Guardian, Squire said, “It did panic me.”

Squire detailed the incident, sharing that he broke his wrist back in 2020 when playing basketball with his son. His thumb on his dominant hand was affected, leaving him unsure of whether his guitar-playing days would have to be put behind him. He said, “There was a question mark over whether I would get full use of it back.”

Fortunately, Squire has been able to regain his abilities through a rigorous regime of physiotherapy. The incident ultimately “didn’t just force him to play again; it reignited his desire to do so.”

Squire has recently collaborated with Liam Gallagher on a much-anticipated single, “Just Another Rainbow.” Speaking on the collaboration, Squire shared, “I think we were both surprised at how complementary my guitar tone is with his voice and how the songs I’ve written worked for him.“

Gallagher and Squire have hinted that this will be the start of an ongoing musical relationship, with Gallagher commenting, “If John comes up with another load of songs that are banging, they’ll get it as well. Squire’s got a lot more in him. People look at John as this guitar hero, but he definitely knows how to write a fucking song.”

Squire also reflected on the Stone Roses reunion back in 2016 which ultimately fell flat. The iconic 80s Manchester group came together to put out two new singles, “All For One” and “Beautiful Thing” but a new album never came to fruition. Despite selling out stadiums across the UK and headlining numerous festivals, Squire said, “the general feeling was that nobody was that into even being in a band together, never mind making an album.”

The Stone Roses ultimately disbanded again, leaving a lull in Squire’s music career. Instead, he turned to visual art, co-creating the artwork for “Just Another Rainbow.” He said, “It doesn’t matter how big or small it is, or whether it’s visual or sonic. What makes me tick is creating.”

When questioned on any regrets he may have had within his music career, Squire shared, “There’d be a trade-off. I might not be married. I might not have as many children and I might not have seen as much of them. I don’t feel like I’ve massively fucked up.”

Squire has hinted at more upcoming tracks and has teased some potential tour dates, though nothing has been confirmed as of yet.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/john-squire-discusses-injury-that-threatened-his-ability-to-play-guitar/feed/ 0 Pete Garner, The Original Stone Roses Bassist, Dies Aged 59 https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/pete-garner-the-original-stone-roses-bassist-dies-aged-59/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/pete-garner-the-original-stone-roses-bassist-dies-aged-59/#comments Tue, 07 Nov 2023 14:00:55 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=97608 Pete Garner, the original bassist in The Stone Roses, has died aged 59. Tributes from fans and the remaining Stone Roses band members have flooded social media, honouring Garner’s contribution to the iconic Manchester band.

No official cause of death has been announced, though fans were aware that Garner had been battling cancer. Media outlets had also been reporting his age as 61, however Ian Brown, frontman of The Stone Roses, corrected this information via Twitter.

Brown wrote, “Our lovely friend Pete was only 59. RiP Pete X.”

He continued, “Yeah very sad. We were young punk rockers when we met in 77. The nite before Petes maths and geography O levels we went to see the Clash. Always made me chuckle he did that and of course he made the right decision! X.”  

Garner was a member of the band from 1983-1987, playing on some of the band’s most beloved tracks, including “Sally Cinnamon,” “Tell Me” and “So Young.” Garner met Ian Brown and guitarist John Squire at school and was asked to join The Stones Roses three years later.

Garner reportedly made the decision to leave The Stone Roses in favour of working at an HMV because he “believed he wasn’t good enough for them.” He was initially replaced by Rob Hampson, before Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield assumed the role in 1987.

Ian Brown also shared that “few loved music as much as Pete,” calling him “off the scale nice.”

One fan made a tribute video, celebrating Garner’s contribution to The Stone Roses by putting together rare footage and photos of the band’s early days.  

Other fans also shared their appreciation for Garner, with one writing, “he laid the foundations of the band.”

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/pete-garner-the-original-stone-roses-bassist-dies-aged-59/feed/ 0 The Haçienda Returns To Manchester With Homecoming Show To Include Ian Brown And Leftfield As Headliners https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/the-hacienda-returns-to-manchester-with-homecoming-show-to-include-ian-brown-and-leftfield-as-headliners/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/the-hacienda-returns-to-manchester-with-homecoming-show-to-include-ian-brown-and-leftfield-as-headliners/#comments Tue, 25 Jul 2023 11:18:46 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=63397 Legendary Manchester nightclub The Haçienda will return to its city of origin later this year for a bumper homecoming show. The all-day club event will take place on December 2nd at The Depot Mayfield and is set to feature former Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown and techno heavyweights Leftfield as headline acts.

The 10 000 capacity venue, spread across five rooms, will also feature a variety of legendary Haçienda acts, including David Morales, Roger Sanchez, former Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook and Mark XTC to name a few. Mike Pickering and Graeme Park will also join forces in a very special back-to-back set. Additionally, groups such as Inner City and Soul II Soul will feature, as will Factory indie band A Certain Radio.

Graeme Park, speaking about the event, has said, “I’m already beyond excited about The Haçienda returning to Depot Mayfield this December. Last year’s event was absolutely epic and the line-up this time promises to make this another huge party. I’m also looking forward to DJing with Mike Pickering for the first time since April 2022. So come on then Manchester! You will not be disappointed.”

Former Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook has had his say on his return to Depot Mayfield, adding, “After a wonderful occasion last year and on our previous visits, we are delighted to reaffirm that The Hacienda’s lifelong legacy is still alive and kicking especially following our recent success dancing in the rain at Castlefield Bowl.”

Hook there was referencing The Haçienda’s recent event at Manchesters’ Castlefield Bowl earlier this month. The Depot Mayfield has also, in previous years, played host to additional Haçienda shows, frequently to great success.

The original Haçienda club, opened in 1982 by record label Factory Records, became the spiritual home of acid house as the genre of dance music quickly spread and captivated a generation in the late 80’s and earlier 90’s. As the Madchester movement gained momentum and popularity, so did The Haçienda, rapidly becoming one the of most famous clubs in the UK and indeed the world, and has maintained an almost cult like following since its inception to the present day.

Tickets will be available for general sale on Friday 28 July here.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/the-hacienda-returns-to-manchester-with-homecoming-show-to-include-ian-brown-and-leftfield-as-headliners/feed/ 0 Neighbourhood Weekender Rescheduled for September https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/neighbourhood-weekender-rescheduled-for-september/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/neighbourhood-weekender-rescheduled-for-september/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2021 19:49:54 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=31972 Manchester Festival Neighbourhood Weekender has been rescheduled once again. The indie festival will now take place over three days at the beginning of September 2021. The festival had already been postponed several times due to the global pandemic. New dates were set for late May however it has now been moved again, likely to better align with the current UK lockdown roadmap.   Festival organisers said in a statement: “Following recent government announcement we are moving Neighbourhood Weekender to Friday 3, Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 September 2021.”

Alongside these new dates, the festival has also announced a new headliner to replace Ian Brown of Stone Roses fame. Brown has recently made headlines for being outspoken against coronavirus restrictions and refusing to accept proposed vaccination passports as proof of entry into live events. Brown tweeted to announce his withdrawal from the line-up.


Brown has been replaced by rock band James to headline the festival’s Saturday night. James’ performance will come after the release of their sixteenth studio album. All the Colours of You is scheduled for release on June 4, 2021. Other names due to appear at the northwest’s biggest indie festival include Circa Waves, Sam Fender, The Wombats, Pale Waves and many more.

Neighbourhood Weekender will take place on September 3, 4, and 5 2021 in Victoria Park, Warrington. Tickets for the festivals previous postponed dates remain valid. Refunds are available for those unable to attend the new dates. Organisers have assured that the festival will return safely.

Remaining tickets are available to buy on their official website or through GigsandTours and Ticketmaster.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/neighbourhood-weekender-rescheduled-for-september/feed/ 0 Ian Brown Steps Down As Headliner For Neighbourhood Weekender Because He Disagrees With Needing Proof of Vaccination for Entry https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/ian-brown-steps-down-as-headliner-for-neighbourhood-weekender-because-he-disagrees-with-needing-proof-of-vaccination-for-entry/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/ian-brown-steps-down-as-headliner-for-neighbourhood-weekender-because-he-disagrees-with-needing-proof-of-vaccination-for-entry/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2021 16:34:43 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=31919 Ian Brown has announced he will no longer be headlining at Neighbourhood Weekender this year. This news comes after the announcement that the Warrington three-day event would take place at Victoria Park on the weekend of September 3-5, 2021, following the announcement from Boris Johnson that the world will be officially opening up on the 21st of June 2021. In a statement, the festival organisers said; “Following the recent government announcement we are moving Neighbourhood Weekender to Friday 3, Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 September 2021.”

Ian Brown took to Twitter to announce he will no longer be headlining the Saturday night of the festival as he doesn’t agree with making being vaccinated a condition of entry to the event. He wrote; “My Saturday night headline show at NHBD Weekender Festival will now not happen! I refuse to accept vaccination proof as condition of entry. Refunds are available!”

This isn’t the first time the ex-Stone Roses frontman has spoken out against this solution to hosting live events during the pandemic. Last month, Ian tweeted saying he would “NEVER sing to a crowd who must be vaccinated as a condition of attendance.NEVER EVER!”

In a statement on their social media, Neighbourhood Weekender said; “Like all festivals this summer, will comply with the conditions outlined by the Government through the Local Authority. No decisions will be taken by Government until 21st June at the earliest. We are working with other festival organisers and look forward to a safe return to open-air events this summer.”

Ian has been replaced by James. Other acts on the line-up include Friday headliner Gerry Cinnamon, Sunday headliners Catfish And The Bottlemen, plus Sam Fender, Circa Waves, Shed Seven, The Wombats, Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, Pale Waves, Miles Kane, Easy Life and more.

Wireless, Latitude, Brighton’s Great Escape Festival and Standon Calling have all announced they will also be going ahead this year. All tickets previously purchased for the Neighbourhood Weekender festival will still be valid for the new dates. Refunds are also available for people who can no longer attend. You can also still purchase tickets at the festival’s official website.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/ian-brown-steps-down-as-headliner-for-neighbourhood-weekender-because-he-disagrees-with-needing-proof-of-vaccination-for-entry/feed/ 0 Tramlines 2020 Announce Line-Up Including Headliners Catfish And The Bottlemen, Ian Brown, and Madness https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/tramlines-2020-announce-line-up-including-headliners-catfish-and-the-bottlemen-ian-brown-and-madness/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/tramlines-2020-announce-line-up-including-headliners-catfish-and-the-bottlemen-ian-brown-and-madness/#comments Fri, 07 Feb 2020 01:28:43 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=14738 Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival have announced their 2020 line-up, including three stellar headliners Catfish And The Bottlemen, Ian Brown, and Madness. The three day festival will be returning to Sheffield’s Hillsborough Park, between Friday 31st July and Sunday 2nd July 2020. Tickets are available now and can be purchased here, they are priced at £99.50 (plus booking fee) for the weekend or £45-50 per day -plus booking fee.

The festival, which will be celebrating its 12th year, will also see performances from the likes of Pale Waves, The Kooks, DMA’s, and Dizzee Rascal. The opening night of the festival, Friday 31st August 2020, will see a headline performance from Ian Brown, followed by Catfish And The Bottlemen, on Saturday 01st July 2020, before Madness conclude the weekend, on Sunday 02nd August 2020, on Sarah Nulty’s Main Stage.

Speaking about the line-up, Tramlines’ operations director, Timm Cleasby, said: “I’m proper excited for us to bring this line up to Sheffield. Big names for Sheffield’s biggest party. Gettin the F.E.A.R. with Ian Brown on Friday Night, right through to Sunday Madness, It Must Be Love. With some of Yorkshire’s finest bands too, I Hate To Say I Told You So, but it’s going to be Bonkers. See you in the park.”

Joining the trio of stellar headliners is The Pigeon Detectives, La Roux, The Big Moon, The Blinders, The Lathums, Kawala, The Hara, and Full Colour. The following acts are also on the bill and will be joining the already impressive line-up is The Sherlocks, The Magic Gang, Lucy Spraggan, Fickle Friends, Twisted Wheel, Vistas, Everly Pregnant Brothers, Lauran Hibberd, Aaron Smith, and Lucia and the Best Boys.

Rounding out the line-up is The Hives, The Fratellis, Sister Sledge, Sundara Karma, Easy Life, The Snuts, The Reytons, and The Orielles. Tickets are available now and can be purchased here, they are priced at £99.50 (plus booking fee) for the weekend or £45-50 per day -plus booking fee.

Tramlines 2020 line up Poster

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/tramlines-2020-announce-line-up-including-headliners-catfish-and-the-bottlemen-ian-brown-and-madness/feed/ 0 Victorious Festival Announces Ian Brown and The Kooks In 2020 Line Up https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/victorious-festival-announces-ian-brown-and-the-kooks-in-2020-line-up/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/victorious-festival-announces-ian-brown-and-the-kooks-in-2020-line-up/#comments Fri, 20 Dec 2019 22:31:31 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=14025 Victorious Festival has announced the first wave of acts for its 2020 event.  The former Stones Roses frontman Ian Brown has been confirmed as a headliner. He will be joined by indie rock band The Kooks, Peter Hook and the Light, and rock band Terrorvision.

Ian Brown is scheduled to play the Friday night of the Portsmouth festival. It takes place on the Southsea Seafront from August 28-30. The Kooks and New Order co-founder Peter Hook and the Light will be supporting the former Stones Roses singer.

Tickets are on sale from £25 and can be found here through their official website.

VF20_Release-1_Square

Director of Victorious Festival, Andy Marsh said: “We’re delighted to announce the first wave of artists as a sneak peek of what we’ve got in store for next year. We’re positive 2020 will be our best line- up to date and we can’t wait to announce the rest of the bill.”

Ian Brown is also scheduled for a homecoming show at Victoria Park in Warrington for the Neighbourhood Weekender. The gig plays across May 23-24 2020. This will mark his first major solo headline gig in nearly a decade.

He will be supported by Catfish & The Bottlemen for Saturday night.

Other acts billed for Victoria Park include Sam Fender, The Wombats, Pale Waves, The Pigeon Detectives, Tom Walker, and Shed Seven. See the full line up of acts announced below:

neighborhood weekender

The Kooks have been confirmed as the first headliners for Fever Pitch Music Festival 2020, running from June 26-27 at Galway Airport. The Galway gig is returning for its third year in a row and introduces the Big Top Tent, as well as more headliners soon.

Previous headliners before The Kooks include Aslan, UB40 and Rudimental.

Ian Brown is further set to perform at next year’s TRNSMT 2020 festival. He will be joining acts Liam Gallagher, Lewis Capaldi, and The Courteeners for the three-day Scottish event.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/victorious-festival-announces-ian-brown-and-the-kooks-in-2020-line-up/feed/ 0 TRNSMT Announce First Wave of Artists for 2020 including Headliners Lewis Capaldi, Liam Gallagher and Courteeners https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/trnsmt-announce-first-wave-of-artists-for-2020-including-headliners-lewis-capaldi-liam-gallagher-and-courteeners/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/trnsmt-announce-first-wave-of-artists-for-2020-including-headliners-lewis-capaldi-liam-gallagher-and-courteeners/#comments Mon, 02 Dec 2019 18:27:15 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=13789 TRNSMT Festival have revealed their 2020 line-up and fans are in for a great show, with the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Liam Gallagher, and the Courteeners. The city replacement for T In The Park, will be returning to Glasgow Green from 10 July to 12 July 2020. Tickets are on sale now and are available here.

As the Courteeners prepare to release their sixth album, ‘More. Again. Forever.’, they are set to take to the main stage, on the opening night, Friday 10 July 2020, of the festival – which will be their first major festival headline performance. The band’s performance will follow their hotly anticipated Glastonbury 2020 sunset performance and their upcoming UK arena tour.

Courteeners frontman, Liam Fray, said: “Scotland took us straight to their hearts, right from the very start. Starting with playing the ABC with The Coral back in 2007, we’ve always had an amazing connection with the people of Scotland. Feels like a 2nd home. To headline TRNSMT is a serious honour and we’ll be bringing a serious party. What a line-up.”

Meanwhile, Liam Gallagher is set to be on a high with his critically acclaimed second album ‘Why Me? Why Not?’, when he takes to the stage to headline Saturday (11 July) night of TRNSMT, with him set take to the stage after Foals and Keane.

“I love Scotland and It’s an honour to be going back to headline TRNSMT Festival. P.s. Have I told you lately that I Love You?”, said Gallagher.

After his successful year, at the festival last summer, Lewis Capaldi will receive a very Scottish homecoming as he’s set to close next year’s festival with his Sunday, 12 July 2020, night headline set. Speaking about his performance, Lewis Capaldi, said: “Yaaaaaas! I’ve been lucky enough to play TRNSMT every year since it’s inception and to be a headliner is absolutely wild. Things are about to get chubby and sexy, fast. See you up the road next year!”

The first wave of artists were announced by fans, who took part in a digital treasure hunt which revealed the first wave of acts. Joining the already stellar trio of headliners will be Foals, Snow Patrol, Keane, Sam Fender, Blossoms, Aitch, Little Simz, Twin Atlantic, Ian Brown, and Rita Ora – who will be taking to the TRSNMT stage for the first time.

The line-up announcement comes after festival bosses teased fans with a digital treasure hunt, on the streets of Scotland, were fans had to figure out who was playing at next year’s festival. Hopeful festival goers were given tips about venues and locations, with correct answers taking them to find interactive badges and artist names. Once they identified the artists the next step was to share their theories on social media to be in with a chance of winning free tickets, to next year’s festival.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/trnsmt-announce-first-wave-of-artists-for-2020-including-headliners-lewis-capaldi-liam-gallagher-and-courteeners/feed/ 0 Watch Ian Brown’s New Video for ‘From Chaos To Harmony’ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/watch-ian-browns-new-video-for-from-chaos-to-harmony/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/watch-ian-browns-new-video-for-from-chaos-to-harmony/#comments Sat, 13 Apr 2019 16:08:52 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=11196 Ian Brown has released a music video to accompany one of the singles, entitled ‘From Chaos to Harmony’, off his new album. ‘Ripples’ is the former Stone Roses frontman’s seventh solo studio album which was released on the 1st March this year.

The music video sees Brown, presumably in reference to the popular Tom Hanks movie ‘Big’, as part of a Zoltar-like fortune telling machine. The mechanical puppet inside the machine is in the shape of the Manchester icon and the video shows it singing along to the song.

Brown himself can also be seen walking along the illuminated Southend seafront promenade in the video, and young British actor Noah Jupe, known for his roles in ‘The Night Manager’, ‘Wonder’ and ‘A Quiet Place’, also features as the protagonist of the short film’s strange narrative.

The video can be seen below.

‘Ripples’ is Brown’s first album since ‘My Way’ which was released exactly a decade ago. In a return to form, Brown’s newest effort reached number 4 on the UK Albums Chart and number 2 on the Scottish Charts.

This is Brown’s first musical effort since the brief reunion of The Stone Roses that occurred in 2016-17. After the release of two singles, ‘All for One’ and ‘Beautiful Thing’, as well as a string of arena shows in the UK, many believed that the Madchester pioneers would release a new album. However, at their last gig which took place in Glasgow on the 24th June 2017, Brown addressed the crowd with the statement, “Don’t be sad that it’s over, be happy that it happened”, leading many to believe that was the band’s final show.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/watch-ian-browns-new-video-for-from-chaos-to-harmony/feed/ 0