Live Review: The Stone Roses + Public Enemy + Courteeners, Etihad Stadium (19/06/16)

Manchester is famous for many things, rain being one of them, it poured relentlessly on the historically industrial city on Sunday 19th June and it didn't look like it was going to be ending any time soon (and it didn't). But that didn't stop 60,000 Stone Roses fans descending on the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City, to watch the one of the city's biggest musical exports. They hadn't played their hometown for 3 years for their reunion but now there was a sense of expectation, something that I felt as soon as I stepped off the coach. Evidence of a new album has already been flying around social media and with two singles already released, it looks like the Roses are not making 'Second Coming', their second, opinion-splitting album, the final chapter in their recording history.

Support acts for the night were varied to say the least, but in no way disappointing. Bugzy Malone was first to take the stage, I can't say much on this artist as I wasn't in the stadium to see him but Courteeners, next on the bill definitely set the feel for the day with a fantastic set of their hits, which got the crowd that had already turned up to forget about the miserable weather extremely quickly. Public Enemy followed and their appearance was incredible. For a group that has been making albums and performing since the late 1980s, their live sound has only improved and I can't fault their set at all.

9pm hit and the rumbling bass riff of 'I Wanna Be Adored' flooded the Etihad, along with the smell of flares and smoke bombs. The atmosphere was something else and the Manchester band didn't disappoint, going from this brilliant opener straight into fan favourites, 'Elephant Stone', 'Sally Cinnamon' and 'Mersey Paradise'. 'All For One', their first single to be released in over 20 years back in May, went down especially well with a great performance from guitarist John Squire and Reni, the bucket hat wearing drummer; this level of playing didn’t drop from any member of the band throughout the set, a 13 minute rendition of 1989 single, 'Fool’s Gold', being a definite highlight of the night.

It was definitely clear that three previous shows that week had taken their toll on Brown’s voice (he had asked fans not to set off smoke bombs during the gig as they affect his vocal chords) but this didn’t stop him belting out the massive chorus lines in 'Made of Stone' and 'Breaking Into Heaven', being only one of two tracks performed from 'Second Coming'. But, by the time that 'I Am The Resurrection' came around, it felt like the night had gone too fast. It was clear why this band could sell out four nights at one of the country’s biggest venues, their sound and feel had not changed since they released the self-titled album back in 1989. The sing along to the above mentioned final track really shows how much they mean to people and it is clear that there is a hell of a lot more to come from this legendary band.

10/10