Ian Brown performs to backing tracks with no live band on opening night of headline tour

Stone Roses' Ian Brown — (Image credit: Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

This weekend, Ian Brown kicked off the first night of his UK solo headline tour with a 23-song setlist. Instead of the expected set-up of a live backing band, however, the Stone Roses singer performed solely to a backing track, leaving many fans confused and disgruntled.

The sold-out concert took place in Leeds on Sunday 25, and charged fans around £40 for a ticket.

After the Leeds show, fans expressed their outrage via social media, with many arguing that a live band should be an expected part of a rock concert.

One gig-goer remarked: "Gutted to see turn up to his £40 a ticket, sold out gig at leeds tonight WITH NO BAND.

"I’m a life long fan but it was bad. #ianbrown does karaoke and butchers his own tunes. Most were too pissed to care but I had to get out after this one. Longsight M13 was a highlight."

While another says: "Anyone who has Ian Brown tickets for the tour, sell them now. Talk about desecrating the memory of the Stone Roses - he's just done it one evening."

Offering a differing point of view to the divisive concert, Sleaford Mods tweeted: "Ian Brown's solo stuff has always been more hip hop and beat orientated so his new set-up works.

"It's not like he's Black Sabbath or summat is it."

Ian Brown's solo tour will continue on to Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Nottingham and London, with several of the dates sold out.

See those aforementioned reactions to his recent show below.

Anyone who has Ian Brown tickets for the tour, sell them now. Talk about desecrating the memory of the Stone Roses - he's just done it one evening.September 25, 2022

Gutted to see @ianbrown turn up to his £40 a ticket, sold out gig at leeds tonight WITH NO BAND. I’m a life long fan but it was bad. #ianbrown does karaoke and butchers his own tunes. Most were too pissed to care but I had to get out after this one. Longsight M13 was a highlight. pic.twitter.com/8owVy2NHjSSeptember 25, 2022

Lots of people moaning about Ian Brown doing a karaoke-set without a band: let me assure you, I saw Ian Brown solo with a full band and it was still a honking disgrace.September 26, 2022

Ian Brown’s solo stuff has always been more hip hop and beat orientated so his new set up works. It’s not like he’s black sabbath or summat is it.September 26, 2022

Ian Brown - gone from being the iconic, legendary frontman of the most talented band of musicians in a generation into a Jimmy Bullard lookalike murdering karaoke versions of his own stuff, singing along to backing tracks like a cheap WMC turn ☹️ genuinely really sad to see!September 26, 2022

Liz manages Louder's social media channels and works on keeping the sites up to date with the latest news from the world of rock and metal. Prior to joining Louder as a full time staff writer, she completed a Diploma with the National Council for the Training of Journalists and received a First Class Honours Degree in Popular Music Journalism. She enjoys writing about anything from neo-glam rock to stoner, doom and progressive metal, and loves celebrating women in music.