Review: The Stone Roses

WHEN it was billed as one of the biggest comebacks in the history of rock ‘n’ roll, it was always going to be hard to live up to expectations.

But the Stone Roses were a band built on an unswerving belief that they were the best. They had the tunes, the haircuts and the attitude, and were responsible for one of the greatest debut albums ever produced.

However, the big question ahead of their three reunion gigs in Manchester was whether a 16-year absence and the advent of middle age had dulled their edge.

There is always a danger that going back will ruin the memories. But as the unmistakable refrain of I Wanna Be Adored echoed out across Heaton Park, it was more than just nostalgia that came flooding back.

There was the realisation that the Stone Roses remain as relevant today as they did way back in the mid-1980s when the band was formed.

A question mark had hung over the fragility of Ian Brown’s voice, but when you have 75,000 people helping you out in a mass karaoke session, there was never anything to worry about.

The setlist was unsurprisingly dominated by tracks from the celebrated first album, but the strength of other songs such as later singles Ten Storey Love Song and Love Spreads showed that the full potential of the Roses was never fulfilled.

It was impossible to sustain the intensity of the gig after such an immense start, and there were moments where the atmosphere dipped.

But the finale was euphoric. This Is The One and She Bangs The Drums were followed by a polemic by Brown against the Queen before Elizabeth My Dear.

And the track which has ended a thousand indie discos saw a monumental version of I Am The Resurrection close the set.

Cynics have claimed the Roses reunion was motivated by money and not a desire to give a new generation the chance to witness them back together. But as the four band members hugged and then took a bow at the front of the stage, it was obvious that this meant a huge amount to them.

If the reunion ends as quickly as it began then the memories will endure, but the hope remains that new material will surface.

It would be just hard to replicate those three nights in Manchester that many thought would never come.