The original lineup of The Stone Roses — Ian Brown, John Squire, Gary “Mani” Mounfield and Alan “Reni” Wren — this morning announced they are reuniting for the first time since the mid-’90s to play two hometown concerts next June in Manchester followed by a world tour — and they’re writing new songs.
The four members appeared at a London press conference this morning (see video below) to announce the June 29 and 30 shows at Heaton Park in Manchester. Tickets go on sale Friday at 9:30 a.m. U.K. time, and full information is available on the Roses’ new website.
NME reports Brown said, “This is a live resurrection, and you’re invited, so you better be there.”
The shows will feature new Roses songs, but when asked about a new album, according to The Guardian, Brown said, “We hope so, but we said that before didn’t we?” He added: “We’ll ride this until the wheels come off, like we did last time.”
The reunion, news of which began to first slip out Friday, comes as something of a surprise given just how many times a Roses comeback has been touted over the years only to be immediately shot down by various members of the band.
The Roses’ original lineup began to fall apart after the release of 1994’s Second Coming; Reni left in March 1995 and Squire followed a year later, quitting in April 1996. The Brown and Mani soldiered on with replacement players, but, following a disastrous appearance at the Reading Festival that summer, pulled the plug on the Roses in October 1996.
The Stone Roses tour dates:
June 29: Heaton Park, Manchester, UK
June 30: Heaton Park, Manchester, UK
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
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- Stone Roses reunion? U.K. paper: Ian Brown, John Squire ‘buried the hatchet,’ will tour
- The Stone Roses’ 20th anniversary round-up: Video, audio, links, interviews
- Through his art, John Squire firmly denies reports of a Stone Roses reunion
- No reunion: Ian Brown shoots down report of Stone Roses anniversary tour
- Report: Stone Roses to reunite, mark 20th anniversary of debut album
Wow!
I’m speechless. But I still consider their debut album to be the greatest LP ever. I’ll be there when they come to the States.
Agreed on all points.
Am I the only one not excited by this news – yet another cynical cash-in – i respected them more when they kept saying they would never reform and keep the myth alive!
Sad :(
I honestly hate this attitude. Why do people get into performance or entertainment in the first place? Out of the kindness of their hearts? It’s to make money, as a job. Of course they want to make money. If they DO make this work, we will reap the benefits of the new music and the old, and they will reap the benefits of ticket sales and CD sales again. We think celebrities are above this basic need for income?
I’m concerned more for my chance to finally get to see them live than of your respect for them.
I cannot see this turning out well.
Wow. We lose R.E.M., but get the Roses back. Hope they can recapture the magic, but major concerns about Ian’s hit-or-miss vocals live. That Reading disaster doesn’t seem that long ago… Fingers crossed and here’s to a US tour next year! And a Mats reunion, too–that would be the BIGGIE!!!
Reni doesn’t seem too sold on all of this. Me either. I hope that it works. I hope it’s great. I have my doubts.
YEEEESSSSS!!!! 29/30th June 2012 – see you there!
YES YES YES YES YES! Never got the chance to see them live. So looking forward to this and keeping fingers crossed. Now if only I could get Love & Rockets to do the same…
Anyone any idea when world tour dates will be announced? Jody, Dublin