Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches and The Farm

It was off to Bournemouth last night to see the Happy Mondays again, I last saw them back in 2024 with a slightly different lineup but you know what to expect, a great gig was imminent!

First up was The Farm from Liverpool. I first saw them back in 1991 for The Spartacus tour in Portsmouth, again in Southampton, The Astoria in London and one in Birmingham, all in their Heyday, caught them at Bug Jam about 14-ish years ago as well but not been able to connect with a gig since then. I’ll say it, I love this band, they’ve never been far from my playlists and some fantastic memories of travelling with mates to some great gigs.

Tonight they were as great as ever, Peter Hooton’s voice was as good as I’ve ever heard it in front of the wall of sound they create. A good mix of old classics kicking off with the ever popular Groovy Train and finishing with the anthem All Together Now, between that a selection of old songs and tracks off the new album released last year, and two answer his question for the audience “Yes I bought the vinyl”.

Setlist
– Groovy Train
– Mind
– Let the Music (Take Control)
– Love See No Colour
– Bankrobber (Clash Cover)
– Moment in Time
– All Together Now

A great list of songs for a short support slot including ‘Bankrobber’ by The Clash, The Farm and Mick Jones from The Clash have a long-standing collaboration forming The Justice Tonight Band in 2011 with Pete Wylie to campaign for justice for the Hillsborough tragedy. Peter Hooton alluded to this as he annouced the song.

It just put a big smile on my face, a mixture of nostalgia and current enjoyment. Hopefully not the last time I’ll see them as it was way too long since the last time.

Playing Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches in full, released in 1990, yes 36 years ago but still holds up today.

A quick stage swap and The Happy Mondays were up. The did not disappoint, obviously. They know how to put on a show. Firouzeh, Bez’s wife now taking over the main support vocals and what a voice , she certainly brings her own dynamic to the stage. Bez was Bez, you get what you expect, his energy just doesn’t sap. Shaun Ryder great as always, chatting between songs and checking the setlist, even voicing sustain for songs he called record label filler but they were playing the album so couldn’t be avoided.

The hit all the points, ticked the boxes, Step On, Loose Fit, Hallelujah, there was something for all fans delivered in their own inimitable bay that leaves your ears ringing for the drive home. Looking forward to seeing them again on day two of Victorious Festival.

Setlist
– Kinky Afro
– God’s Cop
– Donovan
– Grandbag’s Funeral
– Loose Fit
– Dennis and Lois
– Bob’s Yer Unkle
– Step On
– Holiday
– Harmony
– Hallelujah
– Mad Cyril
– Rave On
– Judge Fudge
– Encore
– 24 Hour Party People
– Wrote for Luck