Happy Mondays

About Event

Happy Mondays formed in 1980 in Salford, Greater Manchester. The original line-up comprised of Shaun Ryder on lead vocals, his brother Paul Ryder on bass, lead guitarist Mark Day, keyboardist Paul Davis and drummer Gary Whelan. Mark ‘Bez’ Berry later joined the band onstage during a live performance after befriending Shaun Ryder and became the band’s dancer and percussionist. Rowetta then joined the band to provide vocals in 1990.

‘Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches’ went platinum in the UK, selling more than 350,000 copies, and put the band firmly on the map as one of the most influential bands to come out of the UK in the early 1990s. Two singles from the album, ‘Step On’ and ‘Kinky Afro’, both reached number 5 in the UK singles chart.

By the late 1980s the Happy Mondays were an important part of the Manchester music scene. Numerous world tours meant the band had international success as well as massive success in their home country.

The band’s line-up during this first and most important ten year phase never changed, and the six original members Shaun Ryder, Paul Ryder, Gary Whelan, Paul Davis, Mark Day and Bez remained together until the first incarnation came to an end in 1994. In 1999, Happy Mondays re-formed with founding members Shaun Ryder, Paul Ryder, Gary Whelan and Bez, minus Paul Davis and Mark Day. In the place of Day and Davis were Wags and a number of other session musicians, including Ben Leach, percussionist Lea Mullen and rapper ‘Nuts’. Also joining the new line-up was singer Rowetta who sang on Pills, Thrills, and Bellyaches.

In 2012 the band returned with a line-up of Shaun Ryder, Paul Ryder, Mark Day, Gary Whelan, Rowetta, Dan Broad and Paul Davis and played a thirteen date UK tour and a number of European Festivals. In addition, the compilation album ‘Double Double Good’ was released along with a live recording of the band’s May 2012 gig in Brixton. 2013 saw the band perform more international dates alongside a UK tour celebrating their second album ‘Bummed’.

This was followed by a UK tour in November 2015 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the release of their album ‘Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches’.

In 2022 the band were shocked by the death of founder member and bassist Paul Ryder. A much-loved part of the Manchester musical family, Shaun’s brother was the key to the band’s idiosyncratic groove. His unique bass was the spine to the band’s unique sound, putting the funk into their funkadelic northern powerhouse sound that was so influential. Mikey Shine re-joined the band on bass in July 2022.

In December 2024, Rowetta left the band and was replaced by Firouzeh Berry on backing vocals in January 2025.

Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube

Accessibility at the Nick Rayns LCR, UEA