The Stone Roses make surprise reunion as Manchester music icons play to 1,000 in Warrington

By Dean Wilkins

The Stone Roses surprised 1,000 fans by playing a secret gig in Warrington last night – their first since they reunited after 16 years.

The free show was held in Warrington’s Parr Hall with all four members on-stage ahead of their colossal comeback tour this summer.

Fans were invited through a newsletter and anyone who had a ticket to their shows this summer, a record sleeve or a t-shirt were allowed to apply.

Ex-Manchester City player Paul Lake Tweeted: “It's official: The Stone Roses have still got it. Great gig. 9 out of 10.

“Highlight = She Bangs A Drum – totally nailed it. Roll on June...”

The set began with their debut Album’s opening track I Wanna Be Adored, before launching into the less well known Mersey Paradise, Sally Cinnamon and Made of Stone.

The Manchester music icons are set to play a series of sold-out Heaton Park gigs this summer and were supposed to be making their official comeback in Spain a few days before.

But the surprise reunion was hosted in frontman Ian Brown’s hometown – delighting many across the city.

Brown told fans who recorded the gig: "Put down your phones and live in the moment, you people are the ones who will have a stale memory to look at rather than one to remember."

Their debut album, released in 1989, is often hailed as one of the greatest debuts of all time. They followed it up five years later but the group fell apart in 1996, a year after guitarist John Squire had left the band.

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