Happy News For Happy Mondays Fans

Along with acts such as New Order and The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays was one of the big names in the “Madchester” music scene. The alternative rock band formed in 1980 in Salford, Greater Manchester, and released its debut album – Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile – in 1987.

Since disbanding in 1993, various members of Happy Mondays have reunited for tours over the years. Most recently, the group hit the road with The Psychedelic Furs in 2009.

The May tour is being described as “the first time the original lineup has played together since 1992,” according to BBC News.

The lineup features frontman Shaun Ryder, Shaun’s brother Paul on bass, guitarist Mark Day, keyboard player Paul Davis, drummer Gary Whelan, dancer Mark “Bez” Berry and backing singer Rowetta Satchell.

BBC News notes that after the Happy Mondays reformed in 1999 and then broke up again two years later, Paul Ryder had said he would never perform with his brother again.

Last week the band met up, marking the first time some of the members had seen each other in 10 or 15 years.

“We decided it would only be special and work if it was the total, original lineup,” Satchell told BBC Radio Manchester. “We’re all really excited. They are my family, these boys; I’ve really missed them … and I’m sure they’ve missed each other.”

The reunion tour begins May 3 in Newcastle at O2 Academy Newcastle. The majority of the dates are scheduled at O2 venues including stops in Glasgow (May 4), Sheffield (May 5), Bournemouth (May 9), London (May 10-11), Birmingham (May 12) and Leeds (May 17).

Additional gigs are set for Manchester Arena (May 5), and Nottingham at Rock City (May 18).

Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 3.

Click here for Happy Mondays’ website.