Chris Brown returns to the stage

Chris Brown will make his musical comeback next month.

The singer - who hasn't played a concert since assaulting former girlfriend Rihanna in February - will headline Power 105.1's Powerhouse '09 concert alongside Keri Hilson, The-Dream, Trey Songz, Mario, Day26 and Ginuwine on October 27.

But music industry insiders claim the concert is a step down for Chris compared to the shows he was playing before the assault.

One promoter - who is not involved in the New Jersey concert - is quoted by website MSNBC as saying: "This is a pretty C-list line-up. Keri Hilson is good, Ginuwine has some following, but this is nothing like the line-up that would have surrounded him this time last year. Chris was the Michael Jackson heir apparent, he had huge endorsement deals. This isn't the sort of show you would have expected from him before he got in trouble."

According to industry experts, the 'Run It' star is still not considered a "safe" booking but knows he needs to start rebuilding his career.

A producer said: "Chris isn't advertiser-safe yet - his image has a long way to go. But for this show, he'll draw a crowd, so the producers of the show are willing to pay. Just because he pleaded guilty doesn't mean that all his fans have gone away. He's got to start getting back onto the scene at some point."

Chris punched, kicked and choked Rihanna in his rented car in February after attending a pre-Grammy Awards party.

He received his sentence - five years probation and six months community labour - in August, and was left distraught when the judge banned him from contacting or seeing Rihanna for five years.

He has admitted being ashamed of what happened during a TV interview, and confessed he would struggle to cope if Rihanna found love with a new man.