The original line up of The Happy Mondays has reformed today for the first time since the year 2000. The band did return with a new incarnation fronted by Shaun Ryder in 2004, but lacked many of the groups original members including X-Factor finalist Rowetta. During their last reunion the band headlined the now defunked Electric Gardens festival in Kent as well as V’s JJB stage in 2007.

In their heyday, in the wake of the Second Summer of Love, the Mondays were one of the countries biggest and most influential bands. The album Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches sublime blend of funk, acid and rock helped the band cement their legacy, launching The Mondays into the charts with “Kinky Afro” and the imperious “Step On”. Shaun Ryder fame was so great that despite never bringing the Mondays to Reading he managed to headline the festival in 1996 with his follow up band Black Grape.

Since their late 80s/early 90s heydey the band have fallen from grace, and while Shaun Ryder kept a high profile by joining forces with Gorillaz on “Dare”, Bez was reduced to appearing on Celebrity Big Brother and becoming another run of the mill celebrity. Still, the reunion brings hope that the old Mondays’ magic still exists and it certainly opens up the possibility for Shaun Ryder’s return to Reading and Leeds.