15 September 2025
Newsdesk
Madchester legends the Happy Mondays are hitting the road in March and April 2026 for a 22-date UK and Ireland tour to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their iconic album, 'Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches'. The tour will feature highlights from the groundbreaking album, including hit singles like 'Step On,' 'Kinky Afro,' and 'Loose Fit,' along with other fan favorites from their influential career.
The tour kicks off on March 13th in Newcastle and runs through to April 24th, with a final show in Belfast. Notable dates on the schedule include a stop at London's iconic Roundhouse on March 27th and a special hometown show at Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse on April 11th.
This tour isn't just a celebration of the Happy Mondays; it's a reunion of Madchester pioneers. Joining them as special guests are The Farm and fellow Factory Records labelmates Northside. This isn't the first time the three bands have shared a stage; they all performed at the legendary Elland Road concert in Leeds back in 1991. The Farm’s lead singer, Peter Hooton, expressed his excitement, noting the long history between the bands and how the tour will be “like a meeting of the tribes once again!”
The Happy Mondays, led by frontman Shaun Ryder and dancer Bez, helped define the Madchester sound by blending rock, funk, and psychedelia with the energy of the UK's burgeoning rave scene. Their 1990 album, 'Pills 'n' Thrills And Bellyaches,' became a cultural phenomenon, reaching #4 on the UK charts and solidifying their place as one of Britain's most beloved and influential bands. Their reputation was further cemented in 2016 when they received the Ivor Novello Inspiration Award.
Tickets for the tour go on general sale at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, September 19th. Fans can secure their spots at the band’s official website. This tour promises a nostalgic journey back to the heart of a sound that changed British music forever.
The full list of tour dates is as follows (*The Farm only as special guests):
