He is set to return to Manchester this weekend for the first time since he was arrested here
Chris Brown will be performing three shows in Manchester this month (stock image from April 19, 2025 in Detroit)(Image: Getty Images)
Chris Brown has kicked off his huge world tour with a video paying reference to his recent arrest in Manchester featuring fans showing up to support him.
The 36-year-old rapper was arrested at Salford’s five star Lowry Hotel at 2am on May 15 after flying into the country to rehearse for his Breezy Bowl XX European and UK tour. The arrest related to an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub in 2023 where he was charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, and was held in custody at HMP Forest Bank.
Almost a week after the arrest, Chris was released on a £5m bail where he promised fans he would go ‘from the cage to the stage’ for his huge 2025 tour, which will come to Manchester for three shows this month.
His release from prison was described as a ‘bizarre spectacle’ as fans brought their kids hoping to catch a glimpse of the American performer.
In an introduction to the first night of the tour, interview footage from Chris’ 2017 documentary Welcome To My Life was used alongside clips from his music videos, as well as news articles of his arrest in Manchester and a mugshot.
The clips also feature fans in Manchester showing their support for ‘Team Breezy’ as they spoke about how they felt he has ‘always come back stronger’.
Chris Brown made reference to his recent arrest and charge as he kicked off his 2025 European and UK tour (stock image from April 19, 2025 in Detroit)(Image: Getty Images)
In the intro, clips from the 2017 documentary see Chris talk about the aftermath of his 2009 arrest which saw him plead guilty to felony assault against singer Rihanna. He was later sentenced to five years of probation, a community service order, and a year of domestic violence counselling.
Speaking about it, he said in the video: “It was hard, real hard, you know, no radio would play my music, nobody would answer their phone and nobody wanted to be associated with you or wanted to be around you.
“I remember being in my house for months at a time, just trying to figure out what I was gonna do with my life. I learned more about my craft, I focused on my craft, I learned just how I’d be a better human just to be myself and don’t worry about trying to fit this mould and fit this picture that someone needs me to be.”
Fans waited for a chance to see Chris Brown as he left HMP Forest Bank in Salford on May 21(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Whilst talking to the camera in the eight-year-old clips, the interview footage also featured images referring to his most recent arrest – meaning it had been updated to reflect his time in prison last month.
The video was met with huge applause as Chris kicked off the tour in Amsterdam on Sunday night (June 8). He will next play Hamburg on Wednesday (June 11) and Frankfurt on Friday (June 13) before heading to Manchester for two shows at Co-op Live on Sunday and Monday (June 15 and 16). He will return to Manchester for a third show on June 25.
Chris and his co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, 38, are both scheduled to next appear at Southwark Crown Court on June 20. Both have been charged in connection to the alleged assault at the Tape on Hanover Square in Mayfair on February 19, 2023.