The writer of the new film which is set during The Stone Roses' 1990 Spike Island show has spoken about how the reunion of the Manchester legends has affected the film's production. Chris Coghill, the man behind the suitably named Spike Island, told NME that the band's reunion after 16 years has ...
The writer of the new film which is set during The Stone Roses‘ 1990 Spike Island show has spoken about how the reunion of the Manchester legends has affected the film’s production.
Chris Coghill, the man behind the suitably named Spike Island, told NME that the band’s reunion after 16 years has definitely increased interest in his film and he hopes the renewed buzz around the band will lead to a bumper box office return.
Speaking about the film, which stars Shameless actor Elliott Tittensor and Games Of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke and revolves around an unsigned band from a council estate in Manchester, Coghill said the timing of its release feels “like a moment of synchronicity”.
Asked about how the reunion had affected Spike Island, Coghill said: “The fact that the band have got back together can only help things. The timing’s amazing, literally as we were about to go into production, they announced the reunion, it was amazing.”
He continued: “It’s funny, we never knew when the film would be ready and with the reunion and the fact that the Happy Mondays and Inspiral Carpets are back out there too, it feels like a moment of synchronicity. There’s a massive buzz amount about the reunion and, let’s face it, if everyone who’s bought a ticket to see the band comes to see the film, then we’ll definitely do alright.”
Then asked to describe the film, Coghill said: “It’s a road-movie, it’s a love story, it’s a classic story. It’s my love letter to The Stone Roses and to Manchester in 1990. It was an amazing time to grow up, and it’s my way of telling the story of that time.”
Spike Island is due for release later this year, with Coghill also promising that the trailer will be unveiled soon.
The Stone Roses made their live comeback last Wednesday (May 23), playing a rapturously received show at Warrington Parr Hall. It was the band’s first show with drummer Alan ‘Reni’ Wren since their Glasgow Green performance in June 1990.
The Manchester legends played an 11-song set, with no encore, but did include classics ‘Sally Cinammon’, ‘She Bangs The Drums’ and set closer ‘Love Spreads’. They didn’t debut any new material.
The show will act as warm-up for the band’s summer European tour, which kicks off in Barcelona next month. The band will then play their first scheduled UK shows in Manchester’s Heaton Park on June 29, 30 and July 1.
Following the hometown shows, they’ll then play at Dublin’s Phoenix Park (5) and Spain’s Benicassim (12-15), along with shows in Italy and the Far East.
