Manchester music icon Ian Brown dedicated his big homecoming solo show in the city to Happy Mondays guitarist Paul Ryder. Stone Roses legend Ian played to a sold out crowd of 5,000 at Manchester's Victoria Warehouse on Friday night.
Ian opened the show to a rapturous reception to fans performing The Feeding of the 5,000. He then took a moment to make his personal dedication to his fellow Manchester music icon and founding member of the Happy Mondays Paul, who died suddenly in July aged 58.
The Altrincham-raised star is on his first solo tour for over a decade, which opened in Leeds on Sunday, and continues on Saturday night with a sold out show in Liverpool. He has been the talk of the music world this week after choosing to tour without a live band on his new tour.
Read more : "He's a king" Liam Gallagher sends his support to Ian Brown after gig furore
At the start of the Friday night show Ian said: "I just want to dedicate tonight's set to one of the greatest human beings I ever met.
"Let's hear it for Mr Paul Ryder." The statement was met with huge cheeers from fans.
Ian then performed a blistering set of his solo back catalogue, with fan favourites like Dolphins were Monkeys, My Star, Golden Gaze and Stellify. He dedicated Longsight M13 to "all the beautiful Manchester girls" in the crowd.
Ian also aimed a dig at journalists during his set saying: "Are there any journalists in tonight? There shouldn't be because I've banned them all. No snakes in my place."
Fans were full of praise for the Manchester show on social media after the gig - in stark contrast to some of the less than favourable reviews from fans on the opening night of the show in Leeds on Sunday. At the Leeds gig, some fans complained about the sound, and about Ian performing on stage without a live band.
Since then, many fans have come out in support of Ian. While former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher also lent his words of praise hailing Ian "a king" and his "hero".
Happy fans at the Manchester gig included Gaz Preece who said on Twitter: "Ian Brown Manchester blew the roof off! Quality gig."
Anna Rigby tweeted: "Ian Brown unreal don't know what everyone's issue is."
@Jameswalsh1993 said: "Had a few reservations about @ianbrown but what a gig that was. Absolutely smashed it.
"Greatest front man Manchester has ever produced."
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