Chris Brown’s European tour has been thrown into turmoil after a UK court remanded him in custody over allegations he assaulted a music producer at a London nightclub.
The 36-year-old American singer was arrested earlier this week and appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday afternoon, where a judge ordered that he remain in custody until at least mid-June.
This comes just weeks before the start of his Breezy Bowl XX tour, which was due to kick off on 8 June in Amsterdam.
Brown had been set to perform across Europe, with scheduled appearances in Germany, France, Portugal, and multiple UK cities. Ten dates were lined up across Britain and Ireland, starting with a show at Manchester’s Co-op Live on 15 June and wrapping up at the same venue on 3 July.
The high-profile arrest has cast serious doubt over these performances. Here’s a look at the key UK and Irish tour stops now at risk:
- June 15 & 16 – Manchester
- June 19 – Cardiff
- June 21 & 22 – London
- June 24 – Manchester
- June 26 – Birmingham
- June 28 – Rathfarnham (Ireland)
- July 1 – Glasgow
- July 3 – Manchester (Final show)
Brown was detained by Greater Manchester Police on behalf of the Metropolitan Police after landing at Manchester Airport on a private jet. He was arrested in the early hours of Thursday at the five-star Lowry Hotel.
The arrest stems from an incident that reportedly took place at Tape nightclub in Mayfair on 19 February 2023. During Friday’s hearing, Brown, dressed in a plain black T-shirt and Nike tracksuit bottoms, identified himself as “Christopher Maurice Brown” and gave his address as The Lowry Hotel.
Prosecutor Hannah Nicholls described the event as an “extremely serious” and “unprovoked attack” that had been “caught on CCTV.” “The victim was struck with a bottle several times, pursued into a separate bar area and then punched and kicked repeatedly,” she told the court.
The victim has been named as music producer Abe Diaw, who previously alleged that Brown struck him two or three times over the head with a bottle before launching a physical assault.
District Judge Joanne Hirst denied bail and ruled the case too serious for the magistrates’ court. Brown is now set to appear at Southwark Crown Court on 13 June at 10am.
Adele Kelly, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, confirmed the charge of grievous bodily harm under section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial,” Kelly said.
Authorities have warned against sharing or commenting on the case online to prevent prejudicing legal proceedings.
Initially reported as a Metropolitan Police operation, it was later confirmed by Greater Manchester Police: “This morning (Thursday) we arrested a 36-year-old man at a hotel in Manchester on suspicion of grievous bodily harm on behalf of the Metropolitan Police,” said a GMP spokesperson.
Brown, who burst onto the music scene in 2005, has enjoyed a successful career with hits such as Run It!, Yo (Excuse Me Miss) and No Air. Despite several controversies in his past, he remained a draw on the global music circuit.
But this latest legal trouble could derail his biggest tour in years. If Brown remains in custody until 13 June, it casts a long shadow over the first three shows of his European tour. Even if released after his Crown Court appearance, visa and legal complications could impact the rest of the tour schedule.
Following his European leg, Brown was set to head to North America with dates starting in Miami on 30 July and ending in Memphis on 18 October. Whether those performances go ahead may depend on the outcome of this court case.
Chris Brown’s legal battle in the UK is intensifying, and its impact on his international tour is already being felt. With serious charges looming and key performances now hanging in the balance, the next few weeks will be critical—not just for his fans, but for the singer’s career itself.
