Happy Mondays – Manchester Central (Gig Review)
Its been 17 years since Happy Mondays last played Manchester Central (formerly G Mex) and it’s the second time the band have reformed. Guardian Award Winning photographer Paul Read and myself troupe down to check out how the Salford legends shape up this time around.
The second we arrive we’re met with hoards of drunken youths who can barely stand and it’s only 8.30!. Birmingham based band The Twang rev up the Manchester masses with their catchy beats and working class lyrics. The two vocalist Phil Etheridge and Saunders have more energy than a pack of Jack Russel’s as they lead an upbeat singalong to ‘Two Lovers” and receive an even bigger reaction to the infectious ‘Wide Awake’. They depart the stage with a genuine “Thank you Manchester for being kind it means a lot”.
I look for a perfect viewing spot ready for the Mondays but its complete carnage, a shoe goes hurtling past my ear then a cup of beer flies over my head. I’m shoved, elbowed and barged by every passing pill head and aging raver whilst a cloud of green smoke fills my nostrils, this certainly isn’t a night for the faint hearted.
The venue is plunged into darkness as the sound of a siren blares out, a search light flits over the silent masses as the tension builds. Then suddenly the beautiful dulcet tones of Julie Gordon can be heard as they launch into”Kinky Afro”. Sean William Ryder appears and the place erupts into activity, he’s decked out in woolly hat, sun glasses and winter coat, opting to spend most of his time sitting at the back allowing Julie and Bez to take center stage which they do with immense energy and enthusiasm. Every time Shaun does attempt to interact with the fans an excitable Bez comes flying out of nowhere to grab the mic and interject, but its all taken in good spirit.
Happy Mondays perform a few songs from their new album which was released early 2007 including the amusing ‘Unkle Dysfunktional’ and “Jelly Bean”, the songs are lighthearted and fun and the sweaty male dominated crowd lap it up whilst eagerly awaiting the old favourites. They don’t have to wait long as we’re treated to timeless classics like “Loose Fit” and “Step On”. But it’s the euphoric sounds of “Hallelujah” that really blow me away. Julie’s rich velvety vocals reverberate around the venue sending shivers down my spine. The atmosphere is electric as every single person is jumping in time, I suddenly feel like I’m in a church and its the Happy Mondays religion everyones worshiping.
Its difficult to know whether Sean Ryder and his bunch of merry misfits are lunatics or geniuses. The Mondays started 26 years ago and they’ve had their fair share of trials and tribulations, however, they’re back on form tonight and hundreds of adoring fans have crammed themselves into Manchester Central and they’re loving every minute of it.
Photos by www.paulreadphotography.com
More photos check out www.flickr.com
for more info on Happy Mondays
www.myspace.com/happymondaysonline
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