Ian Brown pulls out of festival headline slot over Covid vaccination requirements

Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown has dropped out of a forthcoming music festival after it was revealed that attendees will be required to be vaccinated from Covid.

Brown had been scheduled to headline the Neighbourhood Weekender festival in Warrington, which has been postponed times since its original May 2020 date.

The festival is now being organised to take place in September 2021.

Writing on Twitter, Brown said: “My Saturday night headline show at NHBD Weekender Festival will now not happen! I refuse to accept vaccination proof as condition of entry. Refunds are available!”

During the pandemic, Brown has become a vocal anti-vaxxer, and has criticised the practise of wearing protective facial masks to prevent the spread of Covid.

Last September he released an anti-lockdown song called “Little Seed Big Tree” in which he refers to masks as “muzzles”.

The singer-songwriter also posted about the vaccine last Friday (26 February), writing on Twitter: “I will NEVER sing to a crowd who must be vaccinated as a condition of attendance. NEVER EVER!”

Brown continued posting on Saturday (27 February) morning, describing vaccine passports as “stinking badges” and saying that festival bosses should not use them.

The singer has faced condemnation from some fans for his statements, with critics arguing his stance contradicts expert medical advice.