Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Stone Roses gig to be resurrected on film

Anthony Barnes
Sunday 23 January 2011 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The celebrated Spike Island show by the Stone Roses is to be immortalised in a new movie. The 1990 concert was a high point in the indie rock band's career, with nearly 30,000 people flocking to the outdoor gig near Widnes, Cheshire. It will be the backdrop for a film being made by Tom Green, director of Channel 4's Misfits.

The gig – affectionately known as the "baggy Woodstock" – came as the Madchester scene was at its height. The Mancunian band were flying high on the back of their top 10 hit "Fools Gold" and an acclaimed debut album.

The quartet had played a major show at Blackpool's Empress Ballroom a few months earlier, then went one better with their own mini-festival. Green's film follows a group of young council estate hopefuls in an unsigned band, Shadowcaster, who head to Spike Island to see their idols. It is backed by the independent distributor Revolver.

The Madchester scene has already been depicted on screen with the Factory Records film 24-Hour Party People, which saw Steve Coogan playing the label boss and broadcaster Tony Wilson. Film-makers have promised cameo appearances in the yet-to-be-named Stone Roses movie.

Green said: "This is a raw and truly authentic rites-of-passage story. It's full of the humour, heartache, dreams and fears of being part of a brotherhood of mates, and set to the greatest record ever written."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in