Fans who saw tonight’s Stone Roses gig in Glasgow are reporting that frontman Ian Brown seemingly announced the end of the band, telling the crowd, “Don’t be sad it’s over. Be happy that it happened” — suggesting the Manchester legends’ reunion has run its course after five years.
The Roses played a 19-song set at Hampden Park Football Ground, focusing heavily on their 1989 self-titled debut, with early single “Sally Cinnamon,” some choice B-sides, a few Second Coming tracks and 2016 single “All For One” filling out the rest of the set.
The set, as is customary, closed with “I Am the Resurrection,” after which there was much hugging among the band members, followed by Brown singing “Hear me, it’s a beautiful thing that I say bye bye” from the Roses’ other 2016 single, “Beautiful Thing,” which the full band had never performed live.
It’s not clear at what point Brown said “Don’t be sad it’s over. Be happy that it happened” — we’ve yet to find video — but numerous fans tweeted the quote, concluding Brown had just announced the end of the Roses.
The band, which fell apart in the 1996 following the departures of guitarist John Squire and drummer Reni, shocked the music world with its announcement in 2011 that it would reunite the following year. Since then, the band has played sporadic concerts, with just a handful in the U.S. — an ill-fated Coachella headlining slot, and a more well-received Madison Square Garden gig.
The band signed a new recording contract before the reunion shows even began, but the rumored album never materialized and the group only has released the two singles since getting back together.
Below, see video and fan reaction from tonight’s apparently final Stone Roses concert.
THE STONE ROSES HAVE SPLIT UP
Don’t be sad it’s over.
Be happy that it happened.
Ian Brown -Glasgow🍋 #quoteoftheday pic.twitter.com/bOx33dNHZY— Neil Handy (@HandyNeil) June 24, 2017
Looks like The Stone Roses are done. Band looked frosty on stage and Browno announcing ‘Don’t be sad it’s over’ when the set finished.
— Chris McCall (@Dennynews) June 24, 2017
Goodtimes seeing the #StoneRoses tonight. “Don’t be sad it’s over, be happy that it happened” Ian Brown, #Hampden Park #Glasgow pic.twitter.com/jjrlaCdGDv
— Deepy (@Deepy1975) June 24, 2017
Ian Brown sings Beautiful Thing in final ever Stone Roses concert pic.twitter.com/PKgCAnmj2e
— Funky Monkey (@marvinreido15) June 24, 2017
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- Lyrics by Joy Division, The Smiths and The Stone Roses appear on Manchester streets
- The Stone Roses’ ‘Made of Stone’ film coming to U.S. theaters — and DVD/Blu-ray
- Video: The Stone Roses play ‘Elephant Stone,’ ‘Going Down’ for first time since 1990
- Video: The Stone Roses headline Coachella — watch full 23-minute ‘highlights’ webcast
- Stone Roses reunite in Warrington, U.K., for first concert in 16 years (SETLIST, VIDEO, PHOTOS)
‘Don’t be sad it’s over. Be happy that it happened.’ Words of wisdom from Ian Brown himself.
Whatevs.
Such bittersweet words.
Christ, I thought it was over 20 years ago.
Everyone has their favorites, and this one is mine. I know that they are, on an objective level, the worst band of all time in terms of output and achieving their potential.
Nevertheless, their first album, the singles, the b-sides, and a good portion of the Second Coming are among the best things I have ever heard. Hopefully, they can manage to keep it together to put out an album and (fingers crossed) come to L.A. (was not able to attend Coachella). I would love to see them again.
I Am the Resurrection?
Not quite, apparently.
Thanks for the promised US tour. Pfft.