Few bands changed the direction of British music quite like Happy Mondays, and this September they’re bringing that legacy back to Australia and New Zealand. The Madchester pioneers are returning to celebrate 35 years of their era-defining album Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches, a record that blurred the lines between indie rock, funk, psychedelia and the rise of rave culture.
Melbourne fans will be able to catch the show at The Forum on Friday 4 September 2026.
Released in 1990, Pills ’n’ Thrills and Bellyaches didn’t just soundtrack a moment, it helped create one. The album spent more than six months on the UK Albums Chart and cemented Happy Mondays as the unruly face of a cultural shift that saw guitars collide with club beats and hedonism spill out of warehouses and onto festival stages.
Fronted by Shaun Ryder, with Bez delivering his unmistakable presence on percussion and movement, the current line-up features Mark Day, Gary Whelan, Mikey Shine, Dan Broad and Firouzeh Berry. Fans can expect a deep dive into the album that made them icons, with Step On, Kinky Afro and Loose Fit front and centre, alongside classics like 24 Hour Party People, Hallelujah, Judge Fudge and W.F.L.
Their influence continues to echo through British music, formally recognised in 2016 when the band received the Ivor Novello Inspiration Award. More than three decades on, their sound still feels raw, loose and joyfully unpolished.
Shaun Ryder says, “Always a great buzz when we play Australia and New Zealand . Looking forward to bringing the Happy Mondays Pills ‘n’ Thrills party there in September’’.
This tour isn’t about nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It’s a reminder of how wild, messy and exhilarating music can be when rules are ignored and the dancefloor comes first.
Early bird presale: Wednesday 28th January 9:00am local time with general public on sale Friday 30th January 9:00am local time.
