With the lemon-y lengths they went to to promote their big news over the past few days, we were hoping The Stone Roses would be hitting us this evening with details of a forthcoming third album. Instead, they will play two gigs in their hometown of Manchester.
The venue is Etihad Stadium - really, Mani?! - and the dates are June 17 and 18.
The band then head north to play T In The Park on July 8. Tickets go on sale from UK outlets this Friday.
The first indication that something was brewing came last Saturday when asked “Any idea what’s going on with the Roses?” on Sky’s Soccer AM, Noel Gallagher said: “Yeah, I know exactly what’s going on… they’re blooming.”
It was a different story this time last year when Noel told our man Stuart Clark: “I did five gigs with them – two were fucking great. The others were, er, okay. They should never have said they were going to make another record, though, because now I don’t think it’s going to happen. I was out recently in Manchester with Mani and said, ‘So what’s happening?’ and he was like, ‘Fuck all, fuck all!’ Now, maybe they’ve a triple concept album about fucking robots ready to roll, but I don’t think so.”
Whether or not we get the Third Coming remains to be seen, but you wouldn’t rule out an Irish date with fans willing a Slane stop-off. Needless to say, hotpress.com will keep you posted.