Indie giants Stone Roses to headline T in the Park

THE Stone Roses will headline T in the Park next year – the band’s first confirmed UK festival since they announced their comeback.

The band announced last month that they were to reform for a series of live shows and three outdoor dates in Manchester.

Festival director Geoff Ellis said: “The Stone Roses are one of the most influential bands of all time. To have them headline T in the Park is a dream come true, as most people never thought they would see the band perform together ever again.

“The atmosphere will be electric when these boys go onstage and I, for one, absolutely cannot wait.”

The band recently announced three gigs at Heaton Park in Manchester, selling out all 220,000 tickets for the first two nights in 14 minutes – which according to the band’s website is a world record.

Yesterday, the band also announced festival dates in Benicassim in Spain and Rock in Fuji in Japan.

The Stone Roses, formed in 1983, released only two albums before disbanding in 1996.

With Ian Brown pursuing solo projects and bass player Mani now in Primal Scream, a reunion was believed to be extremely unlikely.

But at a press conference to announce the reunion, Mani said: “Something magical happens when us four are in the room together, you can’t put your finger on it.

“It’s just beautiful to capture it again. I’ve missed it.”

It has been reported that footballer David Beckham, who became a Stone Roses fan during his years in Manchester, was one of the people who persuaded the band to get back together.

Film-maker Shane Meadows is to make a feature film about the tour. A limited release of tickets for the 19th T in the Park will go on sale in December.