The 2026 BRIT Awards, hosted by Jack Whitehall, featured a heartfelt tribute to The Stone Roses bassist Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, but the ceremony's In Memoriam segment faced sharp criticism from fans for its perceived poor execution.
Emotional Tribute to a Music Legend
As exclusively revealed by The Mirror prior to the event, the tribute was led by Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess, who delivered an emotional speech honouring his late friend. Burgess described Mani as a transformative figure in music, stating, "Hi everyone, I'm here tonight to pay tribute to my good friend. Mani changed music and inspired generations ahead of him. These songs he recorded will be his legacy."
He added, "He was truly one of the phenomenal ones. I'd like you to think about Mani for a moment and we can cherish the thought that we got to experience our time and his time together. Let's take a few moments to remember Mani."
Fan Backlash Over In Memoriam Layout
Despite the poignant tribute, viewers expressed disappointment with the In Memoriam segment's new format, where names were scattered across the screen in a montage. Social media reactions were swift and critical, with one fan commenting, "Random cutting to ad break!?! #BRITs," while another noted, "SPOTY do better tributes to people who have passed away…..that montage was poor #BRITs." A third viewer bluntly stated, "That was a terrible In Memoriam section #BRITs."
The Stone Roses themselves paid homage to Mani in a separate statement, calling him "the greatest bass player and friend we could ever have wished for." This followed the tragic discovery of Mounfield's death, which had previously been reported.
Special Significance of the Tribute
A source close to the event highlighted the tribute's unique context, explaining, "Tim is set to present the In Memoriam section, but before he does so, he is primed to talk about Mani who was both a dear friend and mentor. The fact that Mani was from Manchester too - and the awards is being held there for the first time - means it will be a really special moment."
The segment also honoured other music icons lost in the past year, including Ozzy Osbourne, but Mani's tribute was a focal point due to his local ties and Burgess's personal connection.
Mani's Legacy and Final Plans
Tim Burgess had previously spoken of his admiration for Mani, calling him "a pathfinder for so many of us, like an older brother who had blazed a trail." Mani's career spanned decades, from his time with The Stone Roses, which disbanded in 1996, to a 15-year stint with Primal Scream, where he recorded four albums before rejoining The Stone Roses in 2011.
Before his passing, Mani had announced plans for a 69-date tour titled "The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, and Me - An Intimate Evening with Gary 'Mani' Mounfield," scheduled for late 2026 and early 2027. In a social media post, he wrote, "I think @mm embarking on what could be my final road trip….. Getting too old now…. Anyway, there's a lot to go at…."
In one of his final interviews last month, Mani expressed eagerness to return to the stage, revealing he had recently visited his lock-up to inspect his bass guitars and was encouraged by fellow musicians to play again. His untimely death cut short these ambitions, leaving fans and the music community to reflect on his enduring impact.
The Brit Awards tribute, while heartfelt, underscored the challenges of memorialising legends in a way that resonates with audiences, as the technical execution of the In Memoriam segment fell short for many viewers.
