Forming Paris Angels in 1990, Wagstaff became a renowned figure within Manchester’s music scene through his sonic characterisation of amalgamating both indie-rock guitar music with components of the acid house scene. These soundscapes were particularly evident in singles ‘Perfume’ and ‘Scope’, which successfully married the funky side of indie music with traditional dance music.  This time now known as the ‘Madchester’ era would solidify the guitarist’s legacy in music, even granting him a place in Shaun Ryder and Bez’s band Black Grape in 1993, playing on their debut ‘It’s Great When You’re Straight… Yeah’ (1995) and ‘Stupid Stupid Stupid’ (1997), before their disbandment in 1998.

Wagstaff would join forces with the pair again during a revised version of Happy Mondays in 1999, replacing their former-guitarist Mark Day. This reunion would see the band release comeback single ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’, which peaked at Number 24 on the UK Singles Chart, and provide support for Oasis during their 2000 tour.

As of yet, the circumstances surrounding the legendary guitarist’s death have not been revealed. Although it was known that Wagstaff was working on a new project with his long-term partner and Royal Shakespeare Company actor Tamara Smith.

In wake of Wags’ death, a plethora of tributes have been posted online from friends, family, band mates and fans alike.

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Bez (otherwise known as Mark Berry), a friend and Happy Mondays and Black Grape bandmate, took to Instagram to post a nostalgic shot of Black Grape alongside the caption: “Mr Paul Wagstaff (Wags), remembering the good times. RIP my friend.”
Later this year, Black Grape will be touring the UK for the 30^th Anniversary of their debut ‘It’s Great When You’re Straight… Yeah’, which has left fans hoping the group will pay tribute to their late-guitarist.  

R.I.P Paul ‘Wags’ Wagstaff guitarist with Manchester bands Paris Angels and of Course Blackgrape .and more recently Happy Mondays . Like asking where the music goes when it stops playing – that Manchester vibe Paul was a part of will always be in ‘the area’… pic.twitter.com/N45ZxuSgKS

— terry christian (@terrychristian) March 22, 2025

Joining tributes, Broadcaster Terry Christian, shared: “R.I.P Paul ‘Wags’ Wagstaff guitarist with Manchester bands Paris Angels and of Course Blackgrape , and more recently Happy Mondays . Like asking where the music goes when it stops playing – that Manchester vibe Paul was a part of will always be in ‘the area'”

The tributes surrounding the passing of Paul Wagstaff, the remarkable guitarist, have shed a light on his sonic and personal legacy as a forever-iconic figure of Manchester’s music scene.

“There’s talk of a new album to come, which I’m really f***ing looking forward to,” Bez told The Sun. “It’s going to be visionary. It’s going to be massive. With all my heart and soul, I want it more than anyone.”

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Although there is no information on when fans can expect this album, it would be their first studio outing since ‘Uncle Dysfunktional’ in 2007. That release also came after a barren period of 15 years following 1992’s ‘Yes Please!’, often considered the last in the classic period of the band. Peaking at a disappointing 73 in the UK Album Chart, ‘Uncle Dysfunktional’ received criticism and was described as “directionless,” however it would springboard The Happy Mondays into a festival mainstay. The band has played almost 300 live shows since the album’s release.   

The influences of The Mondays cannot be overstated. Fusing a variety of eclectic genres such as acid house, funk and psychedelic rock, they would come to help define the Madchester sound alongside bands like James and The Stone Roses, influencing them with tracks like ‘Step On‘ and ‘Kinky Afro‘. Further along the musical evolutionary chain, Oasis would emerge, inspired by the sounds of Manchester before them, and would go on to become one of the biggest bands of the 90s. Oasis were signed by Alan McGee, who was also managing the Happy Mondays. 

 

 

 

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Bez’s comments come at a busy time for both him and Ryder. The two have become mainstream figures thanks to their appearances on Celebrity Gogglebox, becoming fan favourites for their genuine, down-to-earth comments and observations. The pair also starred in a Channel 4 feature where Bez planned a mock funeral for Ryder, with the video reaching nearly a million views. Ryder also remains active with the Happy Mondays’ spiritual successor Black Grape, who will be heading out on tour this year to celebrate 30 years of their debut album ‘It’s Great When You’re Straight… Yeah’.

Meanwhile, Bez and Ryder’s other project, Mantra of the Cosmos—a supergroup featuring Oasis’ Andy Bell and Zak Starkey—has also been making headlines. The band debuted an exclusive vinyl-only single, ‘Domino Bones (Gets Dangerous)’, co-written with Noel Gallagher, during their performances at Liverpool’s Cavern Club. According to Bez, Starkey has played a key role in reigniting their creative spark: “Zak is the driving force behind the creativity. It’s ignited us all and got us all excited again.”

The Happy Mondays are set to take the stage at Forever Now 2025 this coming June, sharing the bill with the likes of Johnny Marr, The The, and recent Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee, Billy Idol. 

Whether the new album comes before or after this year’s festival season, Bez has promised “the most magic s**t you’ve ever heard.” Only time will tell if it ranks among their greatest albums, but 2025 promises to be a great year for fans of Bez and Ryder, and their various projects.

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Black Grape celebrated the 25th anniversary of the same album in 2021 after the planned celebrations were undone by the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally planned for 2020, the tour was moved to March 2021 before being rescheduled again, and eventually happening in September.  

When it finally happened, the event was just as much about the anniversary of the album as it was about fans finally being able to return to music venues, even if it did require vaccine passports. RGM’s Carl Maloney described the energy between band members Shaun Ryder and Kermit as electric, likening them to “scallywags just let out after being cooped up for 18 months.” ‘It’s Great When You’re Straight…Yeah’ is the band’s most well-known album and makes up most of the material they perform live. Fans attending any of the 11 dates can expect to hear ‘In The Name Of The Father’, ‘Tramazi Parti’, and ‘Kelly’s Heroes’, alongside material from their latest album, ‘Orange Head’, released last year.  

The tour will be supported by Dodgy, another ’90s act best known for hits like ‘Staying Out for the Summer’ and ‘Good Enough’, the latter of which reached No. 4 on the UK charts. The pairing will be a nostalgia trip for fans, transporting many of them back to the peak of Madchester and Britpop.

 

 

 

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Shaun Ryder and Bez are both currently part of the supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos, which recently played two sold-out shows at Liverpool’s Cavern Club and released a track co-written with Noel Gallagher. Though Bez is no longer an official member of Black Grape, leaving the band in 1998, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him join Ryder and Kermit on stage, armed with a pair of maracas or a tambourine.

Ryder shared the tour poster from his X account as well as a link for tickets. Fans were quick to point out the absence of shows in Leeds and Dublin. There are no shows planned for Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, as was the case in 2021 too, though there was a date in Wales, which also misses out on the 2025 tour. There’s no official word on extra dates yet, but if there is the demand, Black Grape may just add one or two more shows.

Where’s Leeds ?

— craig smith (@SmithCsmiff1974) January 27, 2025

‘It’s Great When You’re Straight…Yeah’ was met with critical acclaim upon its release and debuted at number 1 in the UK Album Chart, knocking off the Supergrass album ‘I Should Coco’. It was praised for its musical variety, which Lollipop Magazine’s Chris Adams compared to The Beatles’ ‘Revolver’.  

Though Black Grape don’t command the same recognition as Ryder and Bez’s previous band, The Happy Mondays, they still have a devoted following, with fans quick to defend the album and heap praise on it. The Happy Mondays were in the news back in December when their backing singer, Rowetta, abruptly left the group.

Comment byu/rusy from discussion invinyl

Interestingly, the album is yet to receive a remaster, and the 30th anniversary would be a prime opportunity for one to surface. Whether they’re a nostalgia act or not, fans of Black Grape will be excited for everything 2025 holds. As long as Shaun Ryder is at the helm, the party shows no signs of slowing down.

Tickets are currently on pre-sale, but will go on general sale on Friday 31 January. They can be bought here.

The joint social media statement read: “Happy Mondays and Rowetta announce that Rowetta will no longer be performing with the band. Happy Mondays thank Rowetta for her services and wish her the best for the future”.

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With over 34 years in Happy Monday’s lineup, Rowetta first joined the group in 1990 providing backing vocals on one of their biggest hits ‘Step On’. Originally recorded by John Kongos as ‘He’s Gonna Step on You Again’ in 1971, Kongos created the track as a protest song during apartheid, aiming to delve into the effects of racism as a result of the white man’s appropriation of Africa’s native territory; using lyricism to challenge notions of power and manipulation. Happy Mondays’ version transformed the original into a dance classic with its political message still prominently at the forefront, earning the group a Number Five single.

Rowetta continued to feature on Happy Mondays’ popular tracks ‘Kinky Afro’ and ‘Loose Fit’, alongside their third album ‘Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches’ and their fourth ‘Yes, Please!’. Not only featuring on studio versions of Happy Mondays’ discography, Rowetta joined the Salford-group on three world tours over the years. Even joining the original lineup of Happy Mondays on their 2012 reunion tour. The singer, born Rowetta Idah, has an impressive discography beside from her contributions to Happy Mondays, having released a self-titled album in 2005 and a plethora of singles over the years. She even featured as a backing vocalist on Simply Red’s chart-topping single, ‘Stars’.

The announcement of Rowetta’s departure came as a surprise to many given the singer’s continued presence in the industry. She recently finished a tour supporting indie band Shed Seven as they celebrated their 30^thAnniversary, where she featured on their 2023 single ‘In Ecstasy’, which currently has over 300,000 streams on Spotify.

Lovely photo in the @MENnewsdesk X Really looking forward to the new year & sharing some amazing news with you all. Thanks again for all the love, through all the years. Means the pic.twitter.com/HIkdiru9Qw — Rowetta (@Rowetta) December 23, 2024

Despite her abrupt announcement to leave Happy Mondays, Rowetta shared her excitement for the future in a follow-up social media post: “Really looking forward to the new year & sharing some amazing news with you all”.

Continuing: “Thanks again for all the love through the years”.

As a chapter closes for Rowetta and Happy Mondays, it is no doubt that both acts will continue to embark on their own exciting ventures within the industry.

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The festival has an electrifying lineup of legendary artists. Headlining the event are pioneers of electronic music, Kraftwerk, who promise to deliver a mesmerising audiovisual performance, blending futuristic soundscapes and hypnotic beats with iconic tracks like ‘Autobahn’ and ‘The Model.’ Meanwhile, Billy Idol, with his legendary hits like ‘Rebel Yell’ and ‘White Wedding,’ will bring pure rock energy and nostalgia. Adding to the magic, the iconic Happy Mondays will bring their infectious Madchester grooves to the stage, delivering crowd-pleasers like ‘Step On’ and ‘Hallelujah’. Their blend of alternative rock, funk, and acid house will no doubt get people grooving. Together, these artists will create an incredible experience, making this festival a truly memorable celebration of music.

The festival is also offering more than just music. Forever Now is featuring The Echo Chamber, a unique stage dedicated to exploring the cultural movements and narratives behind the music. The stage has been curated by music journalist and musician John Robb and will host artist panels, interviews, and discussions which allow fans to feel connected to their favourite artists. The festival takes inspiration from its US counterpart, The Cruel World Festival, which has become a beloved gathering for fans of the genre in the US. Forever Now seeks to recreate that success in the UK, offering a platform that highlights the rich history of alternative music while also introducing new audiences to a range of acts.

@cruelworldfestival Cruel World lineup is here… passes on sale Fri Oct 25th #cruelworld #bluemonday ♬ original sound – cruelworldfest

Tickets for Forever Now go on presale on December 5, 2024. The general sale is set to be released on December 6, 2024. Tickets will include access to the festival’s main stages and activities and they are reported as a starting price of £85. VIP packages are also available, which offer enhanced experiences such as early entry and dedicated areas. Given the talk surrounding the lineup and the excitement of a sister festival, tickets are expected to sell out quickly.

The festival is set in Milton Keynes’ iconic National Bowl, and with two primary music stages, the event promises to attract fans from across the UK. Forever Now is destined to be a stop-off for anyone passionate about individuality and creativity.

The festival blends legendary acts with newer voices whilst also allowing for cultural exploration in the alternative genre, Forever Now captures the timeless spirit of post-punk and alternative music. The introduction of this new festival ensures that the genre’s legacy continues to thrive for generations to come in the UK.

For any questions and updates, please visit the festival’s official website here.

For ticket information, you can click here.

Happy Monday and Black Grape members Shaun Ryder and Bez have teamed up with former Oasis and The Who drummer Zak Starkey, and Oasis bassist and Ride guitarist Andy Bell to form the supergroup.

On the chaotic and fun-filled single “Gorilla Guerilla” Ryder’s cries of “Gorilla!” echo over Bez’s energetic maracas, repetitive guitar riffs, and thumping drum beats. Released alongside the hallucinogenic single is a colourful animated music video created by Ryder’s son Olli. Watch the trippy video for “Gorilla Guerilla” below:

Mantra of Cosmos features baggy icon Shaun Ryder on vocals, Welsh musician Andy Bell on guitar, Ringo Starr’s son Zak Starkey on drums, and everyone’s favourite cheeky chappy Bez on percussion.

Ryder revealed the group’s formation to The Sun in early May spilling to the publication that the band had been secretly working on a debut album that would be “coming out very soon”. The 90s star continued, “It doesn’t sound like the Mondays or Black Grape or Oasis or The Who, it’s what we’re doing all together.”

Channel 4 herded together the fantastic four for a TV interview in which Bez revealed, “for the first time ever I’ve actually got maracas solos”! Watch the whole interview here.

In a video shared to the band’s Instagram, when asked who would be in his fantasy supergroup dead or alive, Ryder replied, “John Lennon, Paul McCartney, every member of the Rolling Stones past and present. Sly Stone, the Pistols, the Kinks, both brothers and all the rest of the band. Funkadelic-Parliament! Every member of Parliament!”

The band made their debut live appearance at The Box in London on the 5^th June giving an intimate performance at the venue.

Mantra of The Cosmos will be taking Glastonbury Festival’s Glade area by storm on Sunday 25^th June at 8.20 pm.

Bez and Ryder will also be playing as part of the Happy Mondays later this year. The band will be playing Dreamland in Margate alongside Primal Scream and Crystal Palace Bowl in London with James in August. A month later they will appear at the Rock N Roll Circus festival in Sheffield.

See below for Mantra of the Cosmos UK dates:

25/06/23 – Glastonbury Festival – Glastonbury

“This special release of Tart Tart showcases the unique musical talent of our brother Paul Ryder who passed from this world … we will all miss you Horse…he brought the funk and the rock n roll to Happy Mondays … love you long time R Kid.” https://t.co/h1tXfH4Gq4 pic.twitter.com/aVvT33wOJq

— Happy Mondays (@Happy_Mondays) July 28, 2022

The band released an official statement concerning Ryder’s tragic passing via social media; the moving message stated, “The Ryder family and Happy Mondays band members are deeply saddened and shocked to say that Paul Ryder passed away this morning. A true pioneer and legend. He will be forever missed. Long live his funk.

The newly released EP has been released in Ryder’s memory and contains three previously unreleased versions of “Tart Tart“. The track first appeared within the group’s debut album Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out) and was released in 1987 via Factory Records. The album served as a catalyst to the group’s success and placed the band at the centre of Manchester’s blossoming music scene. “Tart Tart” was released in March 1987 and was the first single released from the album; the 12-inch release also included the B-side “Little Matchstick Owen’s Rap“.

Speaking on the release, Shaun Ryder has given the following statement, “This special release of Tart Tart showcases the unique musical talent of our brother Paul Ryder who passed from this world … we will all miss you Horse…he brought the funk and the rock n roll to Happy Mondays … love you long time R kid.“

The EP’s live renditions of “Treat Treat” are available across all major streaming platforms. The newly release EP includes a recording from 1989 of a John Peel Session on BBC Radio 1 and a recording from the same year at a concert at Sheffield University. The group have also announced the pre-sale opening for a 7-inch version of the release; click here to pre-order.

Profits incurred from the digital release of the EP will be given to the charity Music Cares, the cause was chosen by Paul Ryder’s daughter Amelia. In a statement, she described the importance of the non-profit organisation, “Music Cares is a charity that helps people in the music industry who are struggling with addiction issues. 14 years ago, Paul was given help and support from the organisation that helped fund extended outpatient care and therapy that enabled him to have 14 subsequent happy and productive years. Just two weeks ago he mentioned them in an interview and often expressed his gratitude and desire to pay their support forward so others could be helped too.“

Click here to listen to the digital release of Treat Treat.

And there will be drinking! A small selection of the various breweries announced as providing the goods include Braybrooke, Two Tribes and Verdant, so there’s plenty for everyone.

Some of the supporting line-up includes artists such as Self Esteem, Working Men’s Club and Erol Alkan, more of which can be seen below. A third headliner is also set to be announced sometime soon so keep a look out for more information. Further updates can be seen on their website here.

THE FIRST LINE-UP DROP IS HERE

Check out this ABSOLUTELY UNREAL line-up of artists, brewers and chefs!

Pre-sale tickets go on sale at 9am THIS Thursday. Sign-up now to get a limited £30 discount and entry into our VIP prize draw.

https://t.co/sY9hm58xGC pic.twitter.com/uz5eQm9s2F

— Bigfoot Festival (@BigfootFest) February 8, 2022

If you’re interested in attending the festival, tickets go on general sale this Friday, from 9 am GMT, and can be gotten here. It’ll be happening at Claydon Estate in Buckinghamshire and promises to be a good weekend for all. They’ve prepared resources for both experienced campers and those more used to the comforts of home, so take your pick.

From general camping (for the most steely and enthusiastic of campers) to the Tangerine Fields (with their pre-pitched tents), they’ve got everything. However, if you prefer your countryside with a bit of luxury, the boutique camping option might be more your style.

As for the headliners, if you want another opportunity to see Caribou in action, he’ll be attending the Wide Awake Festival in May, running from the 27^th-28^th of the month in London’s Brockwell Park, tickets for which can be gotten here.

As for Happy Mondays, they’ll be treating fans to a UK tour running throughout October and November later this year (as well as some dates from May to July). If you want more details on getting tickets, you can look here. If you want to see the tour dates, you can look below.

Happy Mondays UK Tour Dates

07/10/2022 – Corn Exchange – Cambridge
08/10 – Rock City – Nottingham
09/10 – Su Asylum – Hull
13/10 – Roadmender – Northampton
14/10 – Mountford Hall – Liverpool
15/10 – O2 Brixton Academy – London
21/10 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle
22/10 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
27/10 – Dome – Brighton
28/10 – Glive – Guildford
29/10 – O2 Academy – Sheffield
03/11 – Academy – Manchester
04/11 – Academy – Manchester
05/11 – O2 Academy – Leeds
12/11 – O2 Academy – Bristol
13/11 – Kings George’s Hall – Blackburn
18/11 – The Nick Rayns LCR – Norwich
19/11 – O2 Academy – Bournemouth
20/11 – O2 Academy – Oxford
24/11 – Alhambra Theatre – Dunfermline
25/11 – Fat Sams – Dundee
26/11 – Barrowlands – Glasgow
27/11 – Barrowlands – Glasgow

The charity gig held on 10th August 2021 supported and thanked the nation’s NHS workers who have worked hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Within the middle of the concert, ticket-holders were treated to live redemptions of the three new collaborative songs. The ‘Clint Eastwood’ performers teamed up with rapper and singer Jelani Blackman on track ‘Meanwhile’, Alicia Harley on the song ‘De Ja Vu’ and finally the British hitmakers joined forces with multi-talented British artist AJ Tracy on brand new track ‘Jimmy Jimmy’

The group took to their Instagram to post photos of the event and their collaborative performances.

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The triumphant event boasted an impressive setlist of 32 songs, the band also shared the stage with various other special guests. Some of music’s most respected and popular artists joined the band to entertain and thank the audience of NHS staff and their families. The Cure’s frontman and pop culture figure Robert Smith joined the group to perform a version of ‘Strange Timez’, a track which Smith featured on from the group’s seventh studio album ‘Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez’, the single was released on 9th September 2020.

Other artists who joined Gorillaz on The O2 stage included rapper Posdunos member of legendary hip-hop group De La Soul, Popcaan, Leee John, actress and singer Fatoumata Diawara, Happy Monday’s members Shaun Ryder and Rowetta, EARTHGANG, Little Simz, singer and DJ Sweetie Irie, Slowthai and Slaves who previously worked together with Gorillaz on track ‘Momentary Bliss’. The group were also joined by a member of another iconic and pioneering group within the dance and electro music genre, Peter Hook from New Order paired with the band in celebrating the healthcare key workers.

The charitable event marked the victorious return for Gorillaz, the group had not helmed a live performance since October 2018. The band have been a staple of the countries’ radio play since their first hit ‘Clint Eastwood‘ released on 5th March 2001. The single reached number four within the UK Singles charts and propelled the virtual band into popularity. The group was formed by Blur frontman Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, the musician and artist who created the individualistic group which features a mix of animated and non-animated band members.

Damon has spoken to NME regarding the group’s new music, within the interview the musician also hinted that he has been discussing reuniting iconic Brit-pop band Blur, in which he started his musical career. In the interview Albarn revealed the virtual band’s new album’s sound, the singer also teased that the group’s new material will be a throwback to Gorillaz’s debut album ‘Gorillaz’ released in 2001. “Since then I’ve been working on carnival-themed music with Gorillaz with a lot of people from west London, We’re really going back to the spirit of the first record.”

Albarn continued to discuss the new album, whilst comparing the musical process to that taken whilst recording his second solo album ‘The Nearer The Fountain, the More Pure the stream Flows’. “It’s really exciting and we’ve been really enjoying it. It’s a nice kind of counter-balance to ‘The Nearer The Fountain…’, really. I’ve definitely needed a dose of something else after I finished that record. Steel pan drums and Casio MT-40s were always going to be a good cure.”

Although the group has completed both of their London O2 performances, Gorillaz has one more UK appearance this month at the Cornwall festival, Boardmasters, on 14th August 2021.  After their last UK appearance, the group is set to hit the road on their European tour which starts on 29th August 2021 in the Netherlands. UK fans may have missed the band’s August UK dates, but fans can get excited about the new tracks’ possible release with new material being performed live.

Bez took to his Instagram to announce the release to fans, the post also supplied a snippet of the psychedelic video and track featuring the dancer and percussionist’s debut vocal performance.

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The new release is the first track in which includes a traditional vocal appearance from Bez and also features vocals from Firouzeh. Previously known for his maraca playing and famed interactive stage antics, it is exciting news for fans old and new to hear Bez take centre stage. The press release for the new track has provided the following description, “hypnotic homage to the glory days of acid house“.

The track seems to serve as a dedication to the Second Summer of Love, the cultural phenomenon which took the United Kingdom by storm within the late 1980s, most predominately the summer of 1988. The cultural wave saw the rise in popularity of acid house, electronic dance music and the rave scene, fuelled by certain drug influences such as MDMA, the psychedelic and hedonistic scene was particularly taken upon by the nation’s youth. With these factors mixed together, this new musical philosophy embodied itself within the ideologies of freedom, pleasure and indulgence.

It is this sense of freedom in which ‘Flying Bus’ sets out to embody and along with a nostalgic wish for the past, Bez, DJ Doorly and Firouzeh are determined to take the listener back to their youth, full of fun and parties. Bez’s vocal line tells the story of the iconic Glastonbury stage Flying Bus, which is said to be the most rambunctious and often the last to close with parties going on until the early morning and the inspiration behind the song’s title

The accompanying music video also keeps within these cultural themes, the video sees Bez play a colourful bus conductor with DJ Doorly as the magical Bus’s driver. Again, staying within the theme of the 1980’s cultural and music scene, a passenger seemingly dragged down by the burdens of corporate life is taken to the legendary nightclub and music venue, The Hacienda. The Hacienda became a vital part of the dance and rave scene within the 1980s, situated in Manchester, the club became an important role within the career of Happy Mondays and many other bands involved within the genre. The new release’s music video sees Bez and DJ Doorly work with fellow Manchester artists and animators, Friend Party Studios.

The description affixed to the new release’s promo and its music video gives the video’s storyboard and the emotions it aims to conveys: “An office worker’s day gets off to a bad start after being stung by a psychedelic bee, but things get even more trippy when the Flying Bus pulls up. Bus conductor Bez and bus driver Doorly take our hapless hero on an adventure like no other, as he discovers a world of trippy visuals and pure party excess, ending up on the dancefloor of the iconic Manchester club The Haçienda. There’s only one thing to do: free your mind and take a one-way ticket on the Flying Bus!”

The Bolton born cultural personality has provided the following statement concerning his recent collaboration, reinforcing the song’s musical and lyrical themes. “It was a brilliant work trip to Ibiza to collaborate with Doorly at his studio that created this tune, My Flying Bus stage at Glastonbury is really special to me and a great hangout for the hardcore party people. I’ve been missing it so much and this track conjures up that Flying Bus magic. The song is about that freedom you feel when you’re gathered with like-minded people. This is the first vocal track I’ve ever brought out and I’m nervous and excited at the same time. I hope people will get ‘on the bus’ and enjoy it, get lost in a moment in time, that’s the whole vibe!”

DJ Doorly has also spoken about the experience working with Bez and what fans can expect next from the duo. “Writing a track together with the legend Bez was a hell of a lot of fun, not sure if you’ve met him but he’s a bit of a character, We really bonded over our shared love for the transatlantic Acid House movement from the late 80s/early 90s. Our aim was to bring a slice of that magic coming out of Chicago and Manchester around that time, with a celebration of Bez’s bonkers Flying Bus party at Glastonbury. It all came together and it’s a real pleasure to have Bez on my Reptile Dysfunction label, you can expect more from us both this year.”

As well as the promise for even more material, Bez and DJ Doorly have been confirmed to embark on a tour jammed full of dates this Summer. Fans can now also catch Bez on YouTube, since the lockdown this year the performer has started a new career path as a fitness advisor. His courses and workshops can be found as online fitness videos on the channel Spoke TV, entitled ‘Get Buzzin’ With Bez‘.

Click here to purchase and stream the track.