The Stone Roses Heaton Park Manchester July 1st 2012
I never saw The Stone Roses fist time round; they were around during a period where I wasn’t seeing quite as many gigs as usual, focussing on family and work. In recent years Laura has become heavily into the band, so when they announced this series of reunion gigs in their hometown we decided we should go along. Laura is singing at a friends wedding in a couple of weeks with a group of mates from university who are scattered around the country at the moment, and they were rehearsing at a studio in Wakefield on Sunday afternoon. So my first task was to drive to Wakefield, pick her up and drive across to Manchester for the gig. Picked Laura up about 5pm in Wakefield and then we drove across to Manchester, arriving at Heaton Park, around 6.30pm. We got straight into the disabled parking, and it was a short walk to the nearest entrance to the park, and then up to the disabled platform, which was at the back of the park, facing directly onto the stage. Full marks to everyone for the organisation. The place was rammed by the time we got to the platform, but we got there without any problem at all, and everyone was very helpful. Laura had brought her white cane, and everyone made room, and we got through the crowds no problem at all. The Wailers were on as we arrived, playing a selection of old Bob Marley classics. They were pretty good, but the crowd din’t seem to be taking a lot of notice of them. Next up was Plan B. His current act is a mixture of a 60s soul revue and hip hop / rap. I thought he pretty good, much better than I had expected and the crowd gave him a good reception. But everyone was there for the main event. Around 9.10pm the Supremes “Stoned Love” boomed across the PA, and then the heroes of the night took to the stage, starting with “I wanna be adored”. Not being a fan and feeling quite old; I did feel a bit like an intruder at a stranger’s party at times. This band means so much to everyone there. Everyone knew every word, and the atmosphere was just great. 
The Stone Roses played all of the first album and a few tracks from the second. John Squire was just astounding on guitar. I hadn’t realised how good he was, and how much of a guitar band The Roses were. Ian sang ok, and was in 100% control of the crowd. Mani had a smile right across his face. Reni kept the rhythm at the back. I heard lots of the 60s in the music: Jefferson AirPlane, Love, The Byrds, The Doors, The Floyd, there were all there in Squire’s guitar and in the visuals. We were chatting to a guy called Eddie on the platform, who kindly explained all the visuals (which were also impressive) to Laura. We left during the instrumental jam part of “I am the Resurrection” but could hear all of it as we walked to the car. Just as we got to the car park we saw the fireworks light up the sky. Our plan of leaving during the last song worked well; we were straight out of the car park just after 11pm, and straight onto the motorway, which was amazing. Back home at 1.15am. Have been reflecting on what I experienced last night. The vibe of the day was like no other gig I can remember. This was much much more than a concert. It was a generation celebrating their youth, and reaffirming their belief in four guys that took them on a journey which was all too brief and stopped short; and for three special nights everyone in the park were at one with those guys on the stage again. It was something special to be part of. Support acts: Justice Tonight Band, The Wailers, Plan B, The Stone Roses.
Setlist: I Wanna Be Adored; Mersey Paradise; (Song For My) Sugar Spun Sister’; Sally Cinnamon; Where Angels Play; Shoot You Down; Bye Bye Badman; Ten Storey Love Song; Standing Here; Fools Gold; Something’s Burning; Waterfall; Don’t Stop; Love Spreads; Made Of Stone; This Is The One; She Bangs The Drums; Elizabeth My Dear; I Am The Resurrection.
2 Jul
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by connor jackson on March 13, 2022 at 3:09 am
It was a great occasion this but the lads were actually better a few years later at the Etihad, the year after at the Leeds FD Arena as well, the Roses were my generations Who if you like, its all about the interplay between Squire Mani & Reni as it was between Pete the Ox & Moonie, first saw them at the Newcastle Riverside in 1989!
Posted by vintagerock on March 13, 2022 at 10:51 am
Hi Connor, yes they were a great band. I bet it was great seeing them in 1989 in the Riverside. Cheers Peter
Posted by Connor Jackson on March 13, 2022 at 4:14 pm
Yeah it was, the riverside was an amazing venue, saw nirvana there, smashing pumpkins, pearl jam, janes addiction, the black crowes, so many great bands, was in my late teens early 20’s and saw so many fantastic gigs there, the Mayfair too!
Posted by vintagerock on March 14, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Hi Connor my big regret is not going to see Nirvana! It must’ve been fantastic seeing them at the Riverside. Best wishes Peter
Posted by Connor Jackson on March 14, 2022 at 6:36 pm
Yeah saw nirvana at the Mayfair as well on the nevermind tour, and then at the reading festival, had tickets to see them at Brixton academy in 94, tragically kurt passed away so obviously those shows never took place. Final word on the riverside, the best gig I ever saw there was the black crowes, maybe not the ‘I was there’ kudos of nirvana or even say pearl jam, but one of the best live rock n roll bands I’ve ever seen, they had the place jumping, and Chris Robinson was some front man, like a snake charmer!
Posted by vintagerock on March 14, 2022 at 6:46 pm
Hi Connor you’ve seen some great bands! I have also seen the Black Crowes and agree they are pretty special. Happy days Peter