Concert Review: Happy Mondays – Powerstation February 28, 2019
A classic British band reunited…their breakthrough album played in its entirety…two sold-out shows at the best venue in town…should make for a killer Thursday night out, right? Yeah, nah.
Happy Mondays played the second of their two sold out shows at Auckland’s Powerstation, focusing on their 1990 album Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches, although playing the album from beginning to end seemed to come as a surprise to vocalist Shaun Ryder, despite the fact they had just done the same set the previous night.
I guess we can excuse Shaun for a bit of confusion given the amount of substances that the now-56-year-old singer has injested over the past 35 years. I’m not sure I can be so lenient when it comes to his singing, though. It was often atrocious.
Fortunately, vocalist Rowetta was on hand to hold things together, and her presence on stage made the evening bearable.
The band itself consists of Shaun’s brother Paul on bass, who played fine, but looked like he wanted to be anywhere but on stage with these guys. Guitarist Mark Day did his part, as did drummer Gary Whelan, although there were times during the early part of the set where they seemed to briefly lose their groove… which is all there is to most Happy Mondays songs, so that can be a problem.
Original keyboard player Paul Davis wisely went AWOL a few years back, and the guy replacing him seemed to do little than push ‘play’ for the backing tracks. Then there’s the issue of Mark “Bez” Berry, much beloved dancer, maraca player and close friend to Shaun.
I know that Mondays fans love Bez’s schtick, and he may have been charming 30 years ago, but watching him march around on stage was nothing but annoying. He seems to have one dance move and that’s it. There’s no point to his maraca playing as he is usually nowhere near a microphone…that is unless he has something inane to say to his buddy Shaun.
The crowd did their best to have a good time, and I’ll bet many of them did, after all there was loud music, alcohol and about 1000 people there ready to have fun.
But as for me, I wasn’t moved in the slightest. This looked and sounded like a money grab. I mean, they barely made 24 Hour Party People danceable.
One of the worst shows I’ve seen and heard. The only good thing I can say was that it was very short. And I didn’t hear anyone complaining when they finished after only an hour and change.
Marty Duda
Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Ivan Karczewski:
Happy Mondays set list:
- Kinky Afro
- God’s Cap
- Donovan
- Grandbag’s Funeral
- Loose Fit
- Dennis & Lois
- Bob’s Yer Uncle
- Step On
- Holiday
- Harmony
- Hallelujah
- 24 Hour Party People
March 3, 2019 @ 11:46 pm
Lots of people enjoyed the show and danced happily away Marty. These guys are legends. Yes Shaun was rambling, jokey and apparently out of it, but that’s what you expect from him! Overall the sound was fine and I thought they were having a damn good laugh on stage (except the other Ryder brother, granted).
March 4, 2019 @ 9:30 am
I agree with everything you’ve said. I just didn’t like it. Well, maybe not the part of them being legends.
March 6, 2019 @ 3:16 pm
Marty you should have taken an e before you went to the gig, you may have enjoyed it. I was there on the 28th near the front and they delivered a performance, one of the best.
I also think you got sucker punched. Shaun was using his manc humour in feigning surprise as to the songs he was performing.
The crowd did not have to try their best to enjoy the show, it just happened and that’s what this iconic album automatically projects.
Bez was never annoying and it would never be a Monday’s show, without him.
True, on occasion the sound was a little overbearing but overall excellent, as expected.
Marty as a build up for when the Monday’s come next I would recommend dropping a tab and going to the Wombles. After that you may be in a position to join us grown-ups.
March 7, 2019 @ 4:32 pm
Hey, Andrew, how do you know whether or not I DID take an E before the show? Seriously, if the only way these guys sound any good is in an altered state, then I’ll take a pass. And since when is “dropping a tab” the grown-up alternative? Seems kinda juvenile to me.
March 27, 2019 @ 3:27 pm
I thought the show I was great. I see that Im not the only one judging by your photos.
March 27, 2019 @ 9:52 pm
Different strokes for different folks. Glad you enjoyed!