Chris Brown launches UK tour in Manchester while awaiting court hearing over alleged nightclub assault

Chris Brown lit up Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Sunday, kicking off his highly anticipated UK tour — but not without addressing the elephant in the room. Just weeks after his arrest in the city, the US R&B star poked fun at his recent stint behind bars, joking: “Thank you to the jail. It was really nice.”

The Grammy-winning artist, 36, performed to thousands of screaming fans, launching his Breezy Bowl XX tour, which marks his two decades in the music industry. Brown’s playful comments referenced his arrest in Salford last month, where he was detained for nearly a week before securing release on a staggering £5 million bail.

Before taking to the stage, a video montage charted Brown’s career highs and lows, including footage of TV crews reporting outside the Manchester court following his arrest. The clip drew supportive cheers from his loyal fanbase, who packed out the sold-out arena despite the legal cloud hanging over him.

Brown faces serious charges. He’s accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm during what prosecutors allege was an “unprovoked attack” on a music producer in a London nightclub in 2023. The incident reportedly involved a tequila bottle and took place while Brown was on his last UK tour.

His legal troubles began anew when he returned to Britain last month. Detectives from London’s Metropolitan Police arrested him at his Salford hotel. After several days in custody, he was freed after posting the enormous security fee — a financial guarantee ensuring he complies with court proceedings. Should Brown violate his bail conditions, the court could seize the full sum.

Despite the looming court appearance, a judge permitted Brown to proceed with his European tour under strict conditions. He launched the tour last week in Amsterdam before returning to Manchester for its UK leg.

Opening his Manchester set with Run It — the track that made him a global star at just 16 — Brown ran through a catalogue of his biggest hits, including Turn Up The Music, Freaky Friday, With You and Don’t Wake Me Up. Over the past two decades, the singer has amassed 19 UK top-10 singles, cementing his status as one of R&B’s most enduring figures.

His legal situation hasn’t overshadowed recent career wins. Just days ago, Brown took home the Best Male R&B/Pop Artist trophy at the BET Awards in Los Angeles, adding another accolade to his storied career.

The Manchester concert was just the start of a packed UK schedule. After performing a second night in the city on Monday, Brown is set to thrill fans at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Thursday. However, the celebration will pause briefly on Friday when he and co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu — also known as HoodyBaby — are scheduled to appear at a London court for the latest hearing.

Following Friday’s court date, Brown will continue the tour with back-to-back performances at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over the weekend. More shows are lined up for Birmingham, Glasgow, and two additional dates back in Manchester.

The combination of legal turmoil and stadium-filling performances makes Brown’s UK tour one of the most talked-about events of the summer. While his legal team battles serious charges in the courtroom, Brown remains defiant on stage, showing no signs of letting controversy derail his two-decade career milestone.

For now, his fans are standing firmly behind him — cheering louder than ever as their star balances both the spotlight and the scrutiny.