Ian Brown fans were left furious as the former Stone Roses frontman performed out-of-tune to a backing track in Leeds last night.
Fans paid £40 to see Brown perform at the O2 Academy on the first date of his latest tour. But many reacted with disbelief when Brown – known for his cocky persona – performed alone without a live band.
Twitter erupted last night and this morning with users accusing Brown of 'ripping off' fans with a 'karaoke' show. Others slammed Brown for 'butchering' his songs.
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Posting a video of Brown's out-of-tune performance Steven Latham said: "Gutted to see Ian Brown turn up to his £40 a ticket, sold out gig at Leeds tonight WITH NO BAND. I’m a lifelong fan but it was bad.
"Ian Brown does karaoke and butchers his own tunes. Most were too p**sed to care but I had to get out after this one."
Bullensblue commented: "If Ian Brown is playing live with a backing track then he's proper ripping the fans off and should offer them a refund. No difference to seeing someone in a boozer taking him off or going to watch Steps... Poor form and sounds like a rip-off. Tory behaviour."
And many posted mocking tweets.
Neil Kulkarni commented: "Lots of people moaning about Ian Brown doing a karaoke set without a band: let me assure you, I saw Ian Brown solo with a full band and it was still a honking disgrace."
Those previously hoping to see Brown on other dates of the tour flocked to ticket reselling sites offering their tickets at face value – or for considerably less. One fan offered a ticket for 74% below face value.
Some, however, defended Brown.
Hip hop and punk duo Sleaford Mods tweeted: "Ian Brown’s solo stuff has always been more hip hop and beat orientated so his new set up works. It’s not like he’s Black Sabbath or summat is it?"
Gillian Murray posted: "Yes, he really did turn up with no band and sang very out-of-tune to backing tracks. Yes, people left early. But … he still has the swagger and he’s still a legend in my eyes. And I’d a great nite."
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