Happy Mondays were on their 40th anniversary ‘Greatest Hits’ UK tour for some Madchester nostalgia, formed of founding members, brothers Shaun (vocals) and Paul Ryder (bass), guitarist Mark Day, drummer Gary Whelan and backing vocalist Rowetta.
They opened with an introduction featuring Rowetta on vocals, who was dressed as Pocahuntus, before launching into classic tune ‘Kinky Afro’, with Shaun bantering and reminiscing between songs.
The band next played ‘God’s Cop’, also from their 1990 critically acclaimed album, ‘Pills ‘N’ Thrills & Bellyaches’, with its slide guitar effects, before staying with the same album with ‘Loose Fit’, defined by its signature chiming guitar riff.
They then moved to a more electronic feel with ‘Rave On’, taken off their ‘Madchester Rave On’ EP that captured the ’80s, returning to ‘Pills ‘N’ Thrills & Bellyaches’ and performing 1991 single ‘Bob’s Yer Uncle’.
Throughout the set, Shaun related the history of their songs, going back to 1987 with second single ‘Tart Tart’, before ending the show on well-known tracks ’24 Hour Party People’, ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘Step On’.
08/11/19: Happy Mondays @ Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone.
© Ayisha Khan