HAPPY MONDAYS REVIEW
BLOKBSTR transformed the Enmore into one giant dance floor. Before Manchester legends Happy Mondays took the stage for their 35th anniversary celebration of Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches on Saturday night at the Enmore Theatre.
BLOKBSTR wasted no time getting the party started, and they brought a fun, energetic presence to the stage as they mixed catchy hooks, and upbeat tempos. From the moment they kicked into "Sneaky Moto and 1999" the crowd began to loosen up, and the fans were dancing, singing and getting into the spirit of the night.
Next up was "No More Celebrations" which showed exactly why BLOKBSTR were such a fitting choice to open the show. Their performance had a real party atmosphere to it, and the band interacted with the crowd, and the audience responded with dancing. The band continued with Tea Party and Ciao" and they kept the energy high as more people made their way into the Enmore. BLOKBSTR had the room involved and getting excited with every hit.
BLOKBSTR got to their final song "Sunshine and Apartment" , and the Enmore was well and truly warmed up. BLOKBSTR delivered a lively opening set and got the crowd ready for what was coming next.
Happy Mondays walked onto the stage and transported the audience back to the Madchester era, as the band kicked off their set with "Kinky Afro and God's Cop" and Shaun Ryder delivered his trademark laid-back swagger and unmistakable vocals.
As the set kicked into"Donovan and Grandbag's Funeral" the crowd was dancing and singing, and the groove was infectious. Mark “Bez” Berry was impossible to ignore, and he was armed with his trademark maracas. He spent the night dancing around the stage, and interacting with the crowd, and it provided high energy.
Mark Day added funky, guitar lines that gave the music character, and Gary Whelan was rock solid behind the drum kit, and brought driving rhythms that kept the Happy Mondays moving whilethe crowd was dancing along to "Loose Fit and Dennis and Lois"Bob's Yer Uncle, Step On and Holiday". Mikey Shine kept things locked in on bass, and brought the low end groove, while Dan Broad, keyboards kept an upbeat rhythm.
Next up was "Harmony and Hallelujah" and Firouzeh Berry's vocals, gave the songs a lift as she added her powerful voice to the mix, and her dancing and boogieing was infectious and made you want to dance all night.
The band continued with Mad Cyril, followed by Rave On" and the fans were fully involved, singing along to the words and dancing to every beat. The musicianship was on point as Whelan's drumming kept everything moving, Shine's bass provided the groove, Day's guitar brought the psychedelic edge, and Broad's keyboards filled out the sound.
As the night moved towards its finale, Happy Mondays showed exactly why their music has lasted for more than three decades. This wasn't simply a nostalgia trip, the songs still get a room full of people moving.
The final stretch saw the band deliver "Judge Fudge", before launching into "24 Hour Party People" and the Enmore Theatre had become one enormous dancefloor, with fans of all ages dancing and singing together.
Happy Mondays finished the night with "Wrote for Luck", and it left the Enmore Theatre buzzing and the audience was not ready for the party to end, and it was another reminder that the Madchester sound still has plenty of life and groove. Thirty-five years on, and the grooves still hit, Bez is still dancing, Shaun Ryder is still Shaun Ryder, and the fans are still singing.