Happy Mondays 'The Been There Done That' Tour

Happy Mondays:

Last night saw Madchester fever take over Cambridge as Happy Mondays brought their UK tour to the Corn Exchange. The band's tour is named 'The Been There Done That Tour', pretty apt for a band who can gather more stories from one tour than most can in a lifetime, but also a fitting name for a band who have come through adversity and controversy to cement their places as legends of the music scene. 

A Happy Mondays' concert is always unique. Yes, you get alt. rock played to perfection by a multi-talented band, but you also get to witness the comedy duo of Shaun Ryder and Bez. At times the concert even transforms into a 6-person backing band for a Bez dance show, but it's moments like this that make 'The Mondays' still feel such an infectious band.

Unlike many other bands who have reformed since gaining fame in the 80's, Happy Mondays have managed to keep several members of the original line-up. Shaun Ryder (Vocals), Gary Whelan (drums) and Mark Day (Guitar), all of whom are still in the band today, were all founding members, followed soon after by Bez. Since then, Rowetta and her mesmerising vocals become a staple of the band, both on
record and in live performances. Last night was no different, with Rowetta powering her way through many of Happy Mondays' biggest hits alongside Shaun Ryder, even closing the main set with her vocals in 'Step On' after Ryder had left the stage. The line-up is complete by long-stay keyboard player Dan Broad and a new touring bassist following the passing of founding member Paul Ryder

The band waste no time to get into their hits, opening with one of their biggest tracks 'Kinky Afro'. This set the tone for a night full of non- stop hits that transported us to the acid rave scene of the late 80's, early 90's. That is by no means to suggest Happy Mondays have become a nostalgia act, with every member still performing at the top of their game. Even with his "f**ked throat" (not quite sure that would have been then official diagnosis, but who am to challenge a great like Ryder) Shaun Ryder managed to push through delivering a vintage display that captured exactly what you want from a Happy Mondays gig

Inspiral Carpets:

Second on the bill was Inspiral Carpets, giving us the night's first taste of Madchester. Since reuniting in 2022 Inspiral Carpets have regained their status as mainstays of the UK touring circuit, and are looking good for it. The band are now made up of founding members Graham Lambert (Guitar), Stephen Holt (Vocals), the ever-influential Clint Boon (Keyboard & Vocals), and newer additions Kev Clark (Drums) and Oscar Boon (Bass); Oscar being the son of Clint Boon. The generation-spanning line-up works perfectly, bringing the classic Inspiral Carpets sound into 2024, whilst maintaining the components that made them so beloved in the first place. The Corn Exchange was full of excitement, and 'The Carpets' more than delivered, providing a 45-minute career-spanning set that showcased hit after hit.

Many of the songs played were performed in an even 'rockier' style than their studio recordings. This added a whole new dynamic to classic songs that you'd have heard countless times, further enforcing the lengths that this Inspiral Carpets reunion can go

Stereo MC's:

The honours of opening this huge evening of music fell to the genre-blending electro group Stereo MC. Most of their commercial success came in the early 90's and 00's, but given the energised set they delivered you wouldn't have been able to tell. This tight knit groupbreezed through a set of acid rave brilliance, guided by the palpable chemistry between singers Rob Birch and Cath Coffey. This charismatic duo are backed up by the cool beats of founding member and DJ/Producer Nick Hallam, and the effortlessly talented Tansy Omar on drums.

Greeted by a somewhat hesitant crowd at first, Birch told the crowd "You don't have to be polite, you know", and soon enough all of Cambridge Corn Exchange were dancing and singing without a care in the world. Timeless tracks like 'Connected' and 'Step It up' send the audience into a frenzy of movement that would surely warm them up for the rest of the night. Stereo MC were pioneers in the UK scene over 30 years ago, and this set prove that nothing has changed!