Happy Mondays to play at Mareel

Legendary Manchester band the Happy Mondays have been signed up as one of the first star attractions to play in Shetland’s new £12 million music venue Mareel later this year.

The original line-up of one of the most popular and influential UK bands of the past 30 years will travel to the islands as part of a European tour. They will play the state-of-the-art venue on Saturday 15th December.

The show, by far the smallest on the tour and the only Scottish date, is being presented by local independent promoters Klub Revolution in partnership with Shetland Arts, which operates Mareel.

Shetland Arts director Gwilym Gibbons said the organisation was “delighted” to be working with the promoters on such an “excellent event”.

“This opportunity demonstrates Mareel’s potential, as a quality venue in a unique location, to attract renowned acts to Shetland as they tour Europe,” he said.

The Happy Mondays, who were signed to the renowned Factory Records alongside Joy Division and New Order, spearheaded the “Madchester” music scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Along with bands such as The Stone Roses, Inspiral Carpets and The Charlatans, they fused together rock and dance music, created a “baggy” fashion and became part of the most influential scene since punk.

The original band, including singer Shaun Ryder, backing singer Rowetta and dancer Bez, regrouped earlier this year for a series of sell-out arena concerts and festival appearances.

The Salford group, whose hits include Kinky Afro, Wrote For Luck and Step On, recorded the seminal albums Bummed and Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches and look set to release their first new material in 19 years in 2013.

Alan McLeod from Klub Revolution said he was “astounded and delighted” that the Happy Mondays had agreed to play such a small show in Shetland. He paid thanks to the band’s management and Shetland Arts for helping to make the gig happen.