Brown has fun at homecoming

Ian Brown, Platt Fields Park, Manchester

“There’s no better place to call home,” said the former Stone Roses front man to a packed crowd of appreciative fans.

Ian Brown performed a storming gig as headliner of Friday’s Warehouse Project Presents.

Celebrating 100 years of Platt Fields Park, the 47-year-old topped the bill which included UNKLE, Bernard Sumner’s Bad Lieutenant, Mr Scruff and Oldham band The Whip.

And it was clear that the Manchester homecoming was a highlight for both the Mancunian artist and his loyal fans.

Since the iconic Stone Roses broke up in 1996, Brown has released six solo albums and 14 UK top forty singles.

It was mix of band classics and solo hits that filled the one-hour set.

Kicking off with the Stone Roses classic “I Wanna Be Adored”, a tuneful Brown brought the party spirit to the park.

Looking relaxed in a blue tracksuit, trade-mark swagger and tamborine, the front man whipped through a selection of hits.

“Time is my Everything” had the crowd in fine voice, while “Keep What ya Got” had them grooving on the grass.

Newer hits fared less well and it was clear the 15,000 strong sell-out crowd wanted anthems such as “F.E.A.R”.

On stage for an hour, the set ended on a cracking encore against the dark night sky. The mixed medley, which Ian Brown dubbed “All our yesterdays”, included “Fool’s Gold” and “Stellify”. It’s clear this was a gig enjoyed as much by the artist as his fans.