Happy Mondays at the Barrowlands

A Mad Fer It Party for Bezs Birthday

There is a certain magic to seeing the Happy Mondays in the best venue in the world. Manchester might claim the title of the best club in the world, but sorry Hooky—when the stars align at the Glasgow Barrowlands, nowhere else even comes close.

Coming just the night after Bezs birthday, the atmosphere was already buzzing with "day after the party" energy that only this band can sustain. The night kicked off with a brilliant touch; the bands new soul singer took the stage alone, delivering a powerful intro that set the tone before the rest of the group joined her. Then, of course, Bez appeared to get us going, and the room simply erupted.

They didnt hold back on the heavy hitters early on. "Kinky Afro" arrived like a heatwave, raising the roof of the ballroom before wed even caught our breath. Its a testament to the bands confidence that they dont care about "saving" the hits—they just want the party to start immediately. "Loose Fit" followed soon after, keeping that baggy, effortless groove flowing through the crowd.

By the time "Step On" started, it was pure swagger. Its a song that defines an era, and hearing it in the Barras felt like a bolt of lightning. Interestingly, they followed it up by taking us back to the 80s with "Holiday," setting the scene of the early Hacienda days. It was perfect timing for me; Id spent the week in Marseille reading Peter Hooks How Not to Run a Nightclub. Having those stories of the Mondays chaotic beginnings fresh in my mind made seeing them live feel like the history books coming to life.

"Hallelujah" brought the acid house elements to the fore, turning the floor into a swirling, rhythmic mass of people. As Shaun Ryder looked on with his trademark nonchalance, the message was clear: "Its our night and you are here." It wasnt just a gig; it was a dance, a party, and a total "mad fer it" celebration of everything that made the Manchester scene legendary.

They closed the main set with "24 Hour Party People" and a massive rendition of "Wrote for Luck," but the real surprise came at the very end. The Caledonian Cowboy took the stage to lead the room in "Flower of Scotland," a fittingly local end to a night that proved that while the years might pass, the Mondays still know exactly how to host the best party in town.

Full Setlist (18th April 2026):

Intro

Kinky Afro

Gods Cop

Donovan

Grandbags Funeral

Loose Fit

Dennis and Lois

Bobs Yer Uncle

Step On

Holiday

Harmony

Hallelujah

Mad Cyril

Rave On

Judge Fudge

24 Hour Party People

Wrote for Luck

Flower of Scotland (Performed by the Caledonian Cowboy)

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