Carling Academy Bristol

It’s been almost eight years since I’ve seen the Mondays perform, and to be honest I wasn’t really expecting much more than to get my swerve on to the classics. After their gig in Academy 2 was moved to the main hall earlier in the year I was surprised to learn that the show wasn’t a sell out. The second surprise (or disappointment if you like) was to discover their little loose fit brothers The Twang weren’t to be providing support for the evening but never the less it only ever about the veterans of the “Madchester” movement for me and “thirty something” well dressed crowd.

With dancefloor fillers Joey Beltram’s “Energy Flash” and Hardfloor’s “Acperience” to take the crowd even further down the messy 90’s memory (loss) lane the entry of the trilby wearing Shaun and crew was a welcomed one. Only three members of the original line up on the tour in Shaun, Big Brother hero Bez and drummer Gaz Whelan but never the less its still the Mondays. What appeared to be Rowetta taking front of stage with Shaun lurking in the shadow of Gaz’s drum kit in shades the boys went about they’re business. Adamant on not making this a “re-union” but more of a heroic return, tunes off the new album “Uncle Disfunctional” play a fair part in the set list for the evening. Needless to say it was the classics that the male dominated crowd had travelled for and the reception to “Loose Fit” and “Step On” was a euphoric as you’d expect. Even Shaun forgetting the words to “Loose Fit” early on only brought that Monday’s magic to the gig rather than the Bristol crowd to disappointment. The auto-queue aided Ryder and Bez show pretty much lived up to everyone’s expectations.

Bez can still command a crowd armed only with a maracas and a mean bearded but sometimes if it wasn’t for Bez’s enthusiasm the set could have got a little flat in places. Judging by the queue in the toilets those places would have come during the airing of the new tunes although “Jellybean” is a real return for the Mondays and live it hit spot with no exception. Great to hear some Black Grape thrown in and 24hr party people was bang on the money.

I’ve read loads of reviews that have slated the recent Monday’s gigs of late but obviously the “too cool” music moron’s have missed the point……again. If get the chance to see them with ya mates make sure you do.

words by Neil photography by Jay

to see more of Jay's photos from the gig click here