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Chris Brown to perform in Cardiff ahead of court case

Charlie Buckland
BBC News
Getty Images Chris Brown, who will perform at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Thursday, pictured performing in Detroit Michigan in April. He wears a black jacket with red flames on it, with a microphone in his left hand. He looks away from the camera and pokes his tongue out to the side of his teeth. Getty Images
Thousands of Chris Brown fans will watch the US singer perform at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Thursday

US singer Chris Brown will perform for thousands of fans at Cardiff's Principality Stadium later, just hours before he is due in court.

The Grammy-winning star is due to appear in court in London the following day charged with grievous bodily harm over an alleged assault in a nightclub in 2023.

The 36-year-old, who is free on £5m bail, has not yet been asked to enter a plea.

With widespread road closures in place and fewer trains than usual operating to and from Cardiff city centre, fans have been advised to plan their journeys in advance.

Mr Brown is accused of inflicting an "unprovoked attack" on a music producer with a tequila bottle at a nightclub in London while on his last UK tour in 2023.

He was arrested when he returned to the UK a month ago and held in custody for almost a week, before being released after agreeing to pay a £5m security fee to the court.

Mr Brown could be asked to forfeit the money if he breaches bail conditions.

"Thank you for coming and supporting me," he told fans at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester on Sunday as he started his UK tour.

"And thank you to the jail," he said, referring to a spell in custody after his arrest. "It was really nice."

He is due to appear in court on Friday with his co-defendant, Omololu Akinlolu, a 38-year-old who performs under the name HoodyBaby, also from the US.

Getty Images Aerial shot of the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Cardiff Arms Park training field can be seen just infront of the stadium, while the River Taff runs along the right hand side. Several high rise apartment blocks can be seen in the background. Getty Images
There will be a full city centre road closure around the Principality Stadium from 15:00 until midnight

Mr Brown is scheduled to play at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday and Sunday before further stadium shows in Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester.

His Breezy Bowl XX tour marks his 20th year in the music industry, with 19 singles in the UK top 10 including Turn Up The Music, Freaky Friday, With You and Don't Wake Me Up.

Road closures

Cardiff council said a full road closure would be in place around the Principality Stadium from 15:00 BST until 00:00 on Thursday, while Cardiff Bus Interchange will close at 15:00.

Due to rail engineering works, there will be no direct trains between Bristol and south Wales, with fans travelling to or from Bristol advised to change at Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa.

Great Western Railway (GWR) said it would operate an extra service from Cardiff to Bristol Temple Meads via Gloucester after the concert, supported by rail replacement buses.