Stone Roses @ Razzmattazz

Article by: Joe Barnes Published in: DJ's / Bands / Producers

12 Jun 2012

It’s a sad story in many ways. John Squire, the group’s guitarist stated in 1989 that in 10 years time he wanted to be “Lying in a hammock drinking mango juice. Fucking." Twenty years later and he’s still grafting away, trying to make ends meet. Their comeback tour having been set in motion with an intimate last-minute show at Warrington’s Parr Hall in late May, Squire, Ian Brown and the rest of boys got things underway in earnest on Saturday, delivering their unique brand of indie psychedelia to Razzmatazz’s Sala 1.

Judging by the audience demographic, there must have been quite a convoy of planes taxing to the runway at Manchester Airport and there were more than a few looks of consternation as those who had travelled so far to see the heroes of the Mancunian working class discovered that they would be coughing up €6 for 500ml of watery Estrella. Not that it put them off. Anticipation mounted as fans who had hoped twenty years for this moment and soon the predictable football chants began to rent the air.

Soon after, The Stone Roses walked out on stage to a wall of noise. As soon as the crowd heard the first riff of “I Wanna Be Adored” issue from Mani’s bass amplifier, they went into a frenzy, many yelling the bass line at the top of their voices.

Brown, as ever, looking pissed-off for no apparent reason, wielded a tambourine in each hand, shaking them venomously at the audience whilst singing with characteristic swagger; Squire seemed happy for him to take the limelight, more intent on ensuring his guitar sounded as clean now as it did in 1989.

Late in the gig, having brought out classics such as ‘Waterfall’, ‘Fool’s Gold’, ‘Made of Stone’ and ‘She Bangs the Drums’, the guitar intro to “Love Spreads” received the biggest cheer of the night and the crowd began to boogie, eyes closed, swept away on the melody.

Fittingly for this comeback tour, the band chose to encore with the timeless “I am the Resurrection”, Mani, John Squire and drummer Remy playing the entire five minute instrumental from the eponymous first album to round off an absolutely fantastic evening. With the band leaving the stage after an emotional group hug, they bowed to their baying loyal fans, keep this up and the mango juice will be more than well earned.