16 February 2011 (gig)
20 February 2011
I've been a huge Happy Mondays fan since I can remember, therefore I couldn't think of anything more rewarding than seeing the unknowingly humorous lead singer Shaun Ryder enter the word of reality TV in November.
With a string of live performances planned after surfacing 2nd to Stacy Solomon, I had to experience the legacy of Ryder for myself.
Though I can't help but feel a little disappointed with the onstage antics, which displayed more of a confusion, than cavorting to a legends finest hour.
Right at the off-set, fans eagerly awaited Kinky Afro to develop in full swing, though the repetition of technical issues were more than enough to cause a standstill, rather than a wave of groove throughout the night.
After forgetting lyrics on a number of occasions, Shaun's cracks were triumphantly covered up by the outshining Julie E Gordon, and her goose bump-inducing vocals that regained the soul of the crowd in elated glory.
While those who did consort to a forgivable Madchester scene hero, it was also clear that many had gone simply for Ryder's recent fame, with a blank approach to some truly groundbreaking back catalogue.
Black Grape's In the Name of The Father went down in overjoyed ecstasy, as Shaun took us back to the 90's for one of the most celebratory Britpop anthems ever written, with a blend of psychedelic 60's from The Beatles' Tomorrow Never Knows and a gospel-reworked entity to a rap-enticing transformation, way before Gorillaz were even a glint in Damon Albarn's eye.
Which brings us to Shaun's rendition of Dare, seemingly the only track performed unscathed and a target for those unfamiliar with Ryder's early work.
Though again, is was all down to Julie, who sang Albarn's part even better than her predecessor.
Note perfect and elegantly alluring, it's a shame Julie E Gordon's name wasn't on the ticket and merchandise instead of Shaun William Ryder.
