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The tour announcement came yesterday, 24 March, with details of ticket information. Pre-sale for select venues will begin tomorrow, Wednesday 26 March, and tickets will go on general sale on Friday, 28 March. Fans will have to act quickly to secure tickets, with Newcastle’s Boiler Shop holding just 100 people. The largest venue on their tour will be Leeds’ O2 Academy, with a capacity of 2300 people. Tickets can be accessed through Ticketmaster here.  

The band will travel up and down the country, visiting venues in Scotland, the North, the Midlands and all the way down to the south coast. Their visit to Margate will be the first time the group play the town, and their stop off in Dundee will mark their return to the city after over three decades since their last appearance.

Dundee get in there pic.twitter.com/rrss462qto

— Sado Witz (@WitzSado) March 24, 2025

 There is nothing to suggest that this tour will be supporting any upcoming new music. Their last studio release was their self-titled album in 2014. They haven’t released any new material since founding member and drummer Craig Gill passed away in 2016. Despite the lack of recent activity, they have performed more than 80 shows since their return to touring in 2023.

Gill’s passing left a hole in the group, but also in the local music scene in Manchester. He co-founded the award-winning Manchester Music Tours, and co-authored the ‘Manchester Musical History Tour’ book, both of which brought the hundreds of music-related landmarks scattered around Manchester to new audiences.

Often listed as one of the influential 90s Madchester bands, alongside the likes of the Happy Mondays and Stone Roses, the band never felt like they quite fit that label, saying “we were completely different: a psychedelic throwback, with an electric organ as our main instrument”. The group had moderate mainstream success, with 11 Top 40 singles, and three Top 10 albums, including their debut, ‘Life’, which was only held from the top spot by a Carpenters compilation.

The dates leave the band’s summer free from touring, or it could also be seen as an Oasis-shaped hole. The band’s summer tour has already revealed Richard Ashcroft and Cast as supporting acts for their reunion shows, but the connection between Noel Gallagher and Inspiral Carpets cannot be overlooked. Before his days in the Britpop band, Gallagher auditioned for the Carpets as a singer before joining them as a roadie for two years. 

Whether the Inspiral Carpets are considered a vintage act or not, the venues promise intimate shows surrounded by fans. If the reviews from their recent shows are to be believed, the shows will be “a joyful ride back to the early 90s”.

“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 Hacienda Returns – Sign Up For Pre-Sale Tickets Now!
Register now > https://t.co/T99TZugsew < to gain access to pre-sale tickets
Wednesday 26th July 10AM – Pre-Sale
Friday 28th July 10AM – General Sale pic.twitter.com/LDRxWvJEOs

— FAC51 The Haçienda (@Fac51hacienda) July 24, 2023

The 10 000 capacity venue, spread across five rooms, will also feature a variety of legendary Haçienda acts, including David Morales, Roger Sanchez, former Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook and Mark XTC to name a few. Mike Pickering and Graeme Park will also join forces in a very special back-to-back set. Additionally, groups such as Inner City and Soul II Soul will feature, as will Factory indie band A Certain Radio.

Graeme Park, speaking about the event, has said, “I’m already beyond excited about The Haçienda returning to Depot Mayfield this December. Last year’s event was absolutely epic and the line-up this time promises to make this another huge party. I’m also looking forward to DJing with Mike Pickering for the first time since April 2022. So come on then Manchester! You will not be disappointed.”

Former Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook has had his say on his return to Depot Mayfield, adding, “After a wonderful occasion last year and on our previous visits, we are delighted to reaffirm that The Hacienda’s lifelong legacy is still alive and kicking especially following our recent success dancing in the rain at Castlefield Bowl.”

Hook there was referencing The Haçienda’s recent event at Manchesters’ Castlefield Bowl earlier this month. The Depot Mayfield has also, in previous years, played host to additional Haçienda shows, frequently to great success.

The original Haçienda club, opened in 1982 by record label Factory Records, became the spiritual home of acid house as the genre of dance music quickly spread and captivated a generation in the late 80’s and earlier 90’s. As the Madchester movement gained momentum and popularity, so did The Haçienda, rapidly becoming one the of most famous clubs in the UK and indeed the world, and has maintained an almost cult like following since its inception to the present day.

Tickets will be available for general sale on Friday 28 July here.

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808 State were a band born in Manchester during the height of rave culture, helping bring about the birth of house and techno music. Described by NME as ‘acid house pioneers’, the group were influential in the ‘Madchester’ scene, which Dale Grogan of ‘Skiddle’ describes as combining acid house and psychedelic indie music, giving us groups such as Happy Mondays, Stone Roses and 808 State themselves. They were known for top 10 hits such as “Pacific State”, which gave them recognition after being picked up by BBC Radio 1 back in 1989. Considered important influences by well-known groups like Aphex Twin and The Chemical Brothers, many famous names have taken to Twitter to offer their condolences, including Liam Gallagher (of Oasis) and Rowetta Idah (of Happy Mondays).

Andy barker RIP — Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) November 8, 2021

Barker had begun DJing at the age of fourteen after having been influenced by hip-hop and electronic music. In a 2019 interview, he said: ‘By the time I was old enough to go out clubbing, house music had arrived. The similarity between electro and house was what seduced me to the new genre. It had a huge influence on what I was playing in my sets and creating in the studio.’

The band was founded in 1987 by members Graham Massey, Martin Price and Gerald Simpson, the latter of whom left in 1989 to form his own outfit, A Guy Called Gerald. In his place, Barker’s duo outfit – Spinmasters – joined the group. They went on to have several successful albums, such as 1989’s 90, which was described by Slant Magazine as a ‘thrilling expansion of the possibilities for acid house and arguably the best LP ever produced in the style’. Collaborating with well-known artists such as Bjork and Bernard Sumner of New Order for their 1991 album Ex:el, the band were at the centre of the early nineties acid house craze.

In recent years the band’s membership had been whittled down to just two, founding member Graham Massey and Barker himself. The band has been active even in recent times, their latest album, Transmission Suite, having been released in 2019. 808 State had recently finished their 2021 Autumn tour last Friday with a performance at the Liverpool Arts Club. Since Barker’s death, Graham Massey has become the sole remaining member of the group.

Burgess announced Ascent Of The Ascended yesterday (September 23), with the premiere of new song, and second track on the EP, ‘Yours. To Be’ on Lauren Laverne’s Radio 6 show. Ascent Of The Ascended will be out via Bella Union (Burgess’ label since I Love The New Sky) on November 27. You can listen to ‘Yours. To Be’ below.

When asked to describe his newest song, Burgess explained, “It’s all about making the most of moments as they are happening. At the tail end of the glory of the night before – with all the hope and beauty that the following morning brings. Away from the glare of the party – like the calm after the storm has left town.” 

In addition to the new single, we can expect one other new offering from Burgess, title track ‘The Ascent Of The Ascended’. In addition, there are four tracks recorded live in New York for a session with Paste Magazine, back in March. Three of these are from I Love The New Sky, including the album’s second single ‘Laurie’ which – in my view – is a great example of a perfectly formed song. Burgess has also rerecorded the Charlatans classic ‘The Only One I Know’, the baggy single which changed everything for a young Madchester band.

In a press release, Burgess spoke the electricity of his time in the studio, and how I Love The New Sky spilled over into an additional EP – even though the album released earlier this year sounds like Burgess threw everything he had at one, idiosyncratic, multifaceted full length LP. “There was an energy that came from recording the album with such a brilliant band – I didn’t want it to end, I wanted to record a bit of a magnum opus, which is where Ascent of the Ascended came in.

“I’d always wanted to work with Charles Hayward from This Heat, so we have him a ring and he said yeah. With “Yours. To Be” being almost like an instant feeling you get in a moment, very rarely in your life – the two songs are so different but they somehow complement each other. So an EP was the perfect idea.”

pic.twitter.com/rdVDmsIZPH

— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) September 23, 2020

Listing all of the projects that Burgess has hinted at recently would take longer than we’ve got. He is at the very core of a number of initiatives that have worked to keep people united through music during a period of self-isolation. A little later, Burgess lent his energy to a number of projects to save the music industry itself from the effects of lockdown; notably, he was behind the campaign to save Manchester’s venues, Gorilla and Deaf Institute.

There are still Listening Parties every night of the week – the number recently surpassed 450. Burgess has been hinting at “Gorilla TV“, but for now, the particular details are a tantalising secret. He is involved in the Soho Radio Raffle; he performed a straight-to-vinyl session there recently, and its up for grabs as a raffle prize. Eventually, you’ll be able to catch him live – see here for more details. Ultimately, Burgess is living and breathing music every day – and his commitment is infectious.

Ascent Of The Ascended tracklist:

1. ‘The Ascent Of The Ascended’
2. ‘Yours. To Be’
3. ‘Laurie’ (Paste Session)
4. ‘The Mall’ (Paste Session)
5. ‘The Only One I Know’ (Paste Session)
6. ‘Undertow’ (Paste Session)