Elysee Montmartre, Paris, France 11/05/95

The hall lights finally dim as the airy atmospheric introduction to 'Second Coming plays over the P.A. system. Loud enthusiastic cheers greet four shadowy figures as they emerge through an avalanche of dry ice and expectation. We are breaking into heaven.

The nearly two-hour set began predictably with I wanna be adored', not a great track on record (to my mind), but very much a live track, as the majority of the audience began three minutes of boundless pogoing. The expectancy of the evening is somehow captured by the deep bass notes on the hypnotic opening. The four Stone Roses are barely visible at this point as the blurred rear lighting struggles through the still potent dry ice. 'She Bangs The Drums' follows with hardly a second’s break as the audience feels the earth begin to move, continuing at break-neck speed with a psychedelic and captivating version of Waterfall'. Three tracks from The Stone Roses’ followed by three from 'Second Coming', the non-stop pace continuing with the beautiful Ten Storey Love Song the blossoming Daybreak' and the Led Zep (Stairway) influenced Breaking Into Heaven.' During the drum solo section of Daybreak Ian Brown quickly introduces new drummer Robbie Maddix to a welcoming audience.

Any drummer replacing the much-appreciated Reni would need to be shit-hot, thankfully (in this non-expert opinion) Maddix is, bringing with him a heavier beat to match the igniting power of John Squire's electrifying guitar work. Bass player Mani as ever builds a rapport with certain sections of the eager audience, sporting an Argentinean football shirt, which goes nicely with his Cannigia- type hair style. "Merci beaucoup", thanks a sincere Brown, wearing a green T-shirt with football logo, as the crowd responds to the band's collective brilliance.
The 1200 strong capacity hall seems the ideal venue to a Stone Roses concert with its intimate feel and its decadent (in the correct sense of the word) ornamental mouldings, not too dissimilar from the love spreads motif.

The stage back-drop consists of just black and chrome curtains, chosen by Roses' creative force John Squire, creating an impression of a seedy working men's club. Only instead of some fat sweaty Mancunian comedian, we had three slim sweaty Mancunian musicians and a drummer. The band and audience take welcome breather at this point, as the amiable ever smiling (clearly enjoying himself) Maddix nips off stage to grab his bongos and Mani and Squire take their scats to embark on a three-song acoustic meandering of 'Your Star Will Shine', 'Tightrope' and Elizabeth M Dear'.

Earlier reports of the tour had been extremely mixed, reiterated by a road-crew member, much of the problem arising from the limitations of Ian Brown's voice. Okay Brown is no Sinatra, but his mellow relaxed sound juxtaposes with the strength and urgency of much of the Roses music - and it works. Brown also possesses a cool stage presence; he never seems to get rattled. This being illustrated when, as the rest of the band take up their original positions, certain sections of the audience start to chant, "Ian Brown, Brown, Brown" (as Arsenal fans on the ferry crossing would "Ian Wright, Wright, Wright") Brown's response is a quizzical and yet disdainful stare, as if to say, "Grow up lads". Cool with a capital 'As Fuck. There weren't any problems tonight as the lead singer coped well without the usual backing vocals of Reni on the challenging Tightrope'.

The foursome are coming around the final bend now, and what better way to get into your stride than the opening beats of 'I Am The Resurrection'. The crowd, quite delirious now as the pace accelerates through: 'Good Times', 'Made Of Stone', 'Love Spreads' (fantastic) and up the final stretch as Squire takes up the baton through Begging You' and a very heavy Driving South'. For the rest of the tour that was it, ("They don't do encores" I'd assured a friend) but Paris was burning and wouldn't have any of it. The audience' response simply demanded an encore.

Minutes later, as the house lights remained, the group re-emerged to a tumultuous roar of "thanks". Mani was first to the microphone, "Fuckin' hell, I don't believe - we're doin encores", and the Paris audience found what they'd been waiting for, an upbeat Fools Gold'. This was their lap of honour at the end of the European phase of their world tour. Everyone was left ecstatic and exhausted to see an in-form band on top of their powers.

The Montmartre location was appropriate with its many street artists and its history of great painters and great performers (The Moulin Rouge was only down the Rue). 11 May 1995 saw that tradition continue with The Stone Roses.

Reviewed by
Stuart Bolton for Ride On Fanzine