It seems Chris Brown was keen to go incognito as he returned to Manchester for the first time since his arrest, later making a triumphant stage comeback on stage despite divided opinions.
The American singer was released from prison last month after a second bail application was successful, having previously been detained and charged with grievous bodily harm with intent during an alleged 2023 nightclub bottle attack.
Brown, 36, was staying at the five-star Lowry Hotel when police came knocking on May 15. A week later, Southwark Crown Court heard that he had been freed under bail conditions and ordered to pay a £5million security fee guaranteeing his return.
It had been uncertain whether the R&B star would be continuing with his tour, which had been due to kick off just days after his release.
However, a judge ruled that he was able to, meaning he recently jetted back to the UK for a string of shows.
Despite thousands of social media users demanding his gigs be axed, Brown played in the new Co-op Live Arena tonight, where he’ll do a second concert tomorrow before heading to Cardiff on June 19.
Brown will then return to Manchester for a third show on June 24, which was added due to high demand.
The Virginia-born Under The Influence artist was spotted ahead of the show this evening, being shielded by his team, who kept him dry with umbrellas.
Brown cut a typically casual figure, wearing a graphic T-shirt and a beanie, plus designer diamond earrings.
His face was barely visible as he was papped out in the city, staff also carrying a large board to cover him entirely.
However, Brown was more than visible to thousands of paying fans later in the night as he received a warm reception for his Breezy Bowl XX European leg.
Taking to X with footage from moments of the show, fans revealed that Brown brought out 50 Cent as a surprise guest.
The rapper shared a handshake with Brown before launching into a tune, sending the venue wild.
50 Cent, real name Curtis James Jackson III, previously voiced support for Brown after he had been arrested, so it’s perhaps not surprising at all that he was the famous friend he selected for a cameo in Manchester.
The In da Club hitmaker, 49, took to his Instagram Story after Brown was denied bail for the first time, sharing a screenshot of a news story detailing the update.
His caption read: ‘Damn they doing CB dirty, they knew about this case for 2 years. This is gonna muck up the whole tour. WTF going on! @50centaction @bransoncognac.’
He isn’t the only A-lister to have displayed solidarity with the Grammy winner, as collaborator and long-time friend Justin Bieber has too.
When Brown posted his first Insta feed snap after his release, which was a photo of him stepping off a private jet, Bieber commented: ‘Welcome home’.
After his world tour began, Brown actually made the most of his recent press attention and built it into his production.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, an intro VT to the tour’s first night included interview footage from Brown’s 2017 documentary Welcome To My Life, which was used alongside snippets from music videos, news stories about his arrest, and even a mugshot.
His video was met with rapturous applause from the audience in Amsterdam, with many of his supporters featured in the short film to declare their love for ‘Team Breezy,’ stating that they always felt he would ‘come back stronger’.
Brown has made no secret of his feelings about being locked up, having declared in his social media return that he had been freed from a ‘cage’.
‘FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!! BREEZYBOWL,’ he wrote in reference to his upcoming tour shortly after getting his phone back.
The Go Crazy singer is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to Abraham Diaw in February 2023.
Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard last month that Mr Diaw was standing at the bar of the Tape nightclub when he was struck several times with a bottle.
It’s alleged that he was then pursued to a separate area of the club where he was punched and kicked repeatedly.
Brown, who has maintained his innocence throughout, will next appear with his co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, 38, in court on June 20.
His bail conditions state that he is now not allowed to visit the nightclub where the incident allegedly took place, and he cannot contact Mr Diaw.
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