Ian Brown pulls out of Neighbourhood Weekender Festival in protest at vaccine passports

Ian Brown has pulled out of the Neighbourhood Weekender Festival in protest at the prospect of ‘vaccine passports’.

The Stone Roses frontman has raised eyebrows with his anti-mask and anti-lockdown tweets, and even released an anti-lockdown song which claimed ‘Dr Evil’ was planning to ‘chip us all to have complete control’.

Now, the FEAR singer has resigned from a headline gig this September due to his anger about vaccine passports, which haven’t even been introduced yet.

The 58-year-old tweeted: ‘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! X’

Vaccine passports have been discussed by authorities as a way of allowing entry into clubs, pubs, gigs and sports venues when lockdown is lifted, but have yet to be introduced. 

Neighbourhood Weekender, which takes place in Victoria Park in Ian’s hometown of Warrington, confirmed that Ian would be replaced by James on the bill, after the festival was moved from May to September. 

A statement read: ‘Following recent government announcement we are moving Neighbourhood Weekender to Friday 3, Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 September 2021.

‘James will be replacing Ian Brown as our Saturday night headliner.

‘All tickets remain valid for the new dates. If you can no longer attend, please contact your ticket agent to arrange a refund.

‘Thanks for your patience and continued support for the event. You really are the best! We can’t wait to see you at the festival!’

Gerry Cinnamon will headline on the Friday, with Catfish and the Bottlemen closing the festival. 

Ian’s announcement followed a number of tweets about vaccine passports, as he wrote: ‘I will NEVER sing to a crowd who must be vaccinated as a condition of attendance. NEVER EVER!

‘Certificate Of Vaccination IDentification aka vaccine passport,We dont need no stinking badges!

‘To all festival promoters: Please do not collaborate with SAGE/ GOVT re vaccine passports for entry. Dont help to usher in the new nazi normal [sic].’

Ian’s social media has become a hotbed of anti-lockdown, anti-mask and anti-vaccine tweets, although he denies being a conspiracy theorist.

Much like Van Morrison, who released three ‘songs of protest’ against measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Ian sings about a ‘sonic lockdown, state shakedown, a mass breakdown’ in his song Little Seed Big Tree.

On the track, he made sure his anti-vaxx views were clear, as he is heard singing: ‘Dr Evil and his needle, Dr Evil with a masterplan, a false vaccine like a bad dream, a plan to microchip every woman, child and man.’

So far, there have been nearly 21 million people given their vaccine jabs in the UK, with the nation hoping to be free of restrictions by June 21. 

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