Photo by Pennie Smith
It’s official: The Stone Roses will reunite next summer for their first live performances in over 15 years. Announcing the news at a press conference in London on Tuesday afternoon, the group’s four original members, singer Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, bassist Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, and drummer Alan ‘Reni’ Wren, revealed plans for two comeback shows at Manchester, England’s Heaton Park on June 29th and 30th, 2012, followed by a world tour. What’s more, the band plans to debut new songs during these dates.
“This is a live resurrection, and you’re all invited, so you better be there,” Brown said during the press conference. When asked why the band decided to reunite now, he explained, “In times like this you can uplift people.” As for the possibility of a new album, Brown said, “We hope so, but we said that before didn’t we?”
Tickets for the two Manchester shows will go on sale Friday, October 21st at 9:30 AM BST. For additional ticketing info, visit the band’s newly launched website.
Formed in Manchester in 1983, The Stone Roses are considered pioneers of the UK’s ‘Madchester’ movement, which inspired bands like Oasis, Blur, The Verve, and more. Following a series of lineup changes and sporadic releases in the mid 1980s, the band finally released their self-titled debut in 1989. While initially met with mixed reviews, the album ultimately became one of the most highly regarded UK releases ever, with British publication NME even deeming it the “greatest British album of all time” in 2006.
Due to a legal dispute with their previous record label, it took five years before The Stone Roses finally released their second album, 1994’s Second Coming. However, the album failed to live up to its hype as it was met with mixed reviews. Shortly afterward, the band began to dissolve, with Reni departing in March 1995, followed by Squire in April 1996. Brown and Mani finally disbanded the group in October 1996.
Below, you can watch The Stone Roses perform “She Bangs The Drums” during a performance in 1989.
