Mondays make Sunday a fun day

Clapham didn't know what hit it yesterday (Sunday), when hundreds of Mancunian music fans descended on the area in a pilgrimage of worship to the godfathers of Madchester - Shaun Ryder, Bez and Gaz Whelan.

They were not disappointed.

Headlining the first ever Easyjet Get Loaded In The Park festival, the Mondays rewound a nostalgic 10,000-strong crowd back to the beginnings of indie/dance fusion, seemlessly reviving the inimitable baggy sound that so many grew up with. Some were so excited they felt the need to make themselves (or their arse!) look like Shaun by wearing scary-looking masks that were being handed out.

Promoter Kate Taylor told VF: "What an amazing day. It was worth all the hard work. The band were brilliant but then we always knew they would be, didn't we? It was great to see so many huge Mondays fans making it down from all over the country to see their heroes. I'd like to thank everyone in the band because they really did put their hearts and souls into this to make it a success." 

Shaun proved he can still cut it and still wants to do it, giving a concentrated performance that stuck two fingers up at his doubters. While he may have piled on a few pounds since the early nineties, the frontman's whispy Northern drawl sounded as fresh as ever. Alongside him, Bez pounded the stage with a commanding presence that sent the crowd into a deranged frenzy.

Reworked classic hits, such as 'Kinky Afro' and 'Loose Fit' were played alongside lesser known tracks like 'Mad Cyril' and 'Donovan', with an invigorated, bass-rumbling 'Step On' proving the inevitable highlight. (Click on the photo for the bands' set list!)

Black Grape fans were treated to an unexpected work-out of 'Reverend Black Grape' and 'Mad Cyril' contorted into a bizarre cover of The Rolling Stones' 'Jumpin' Jack Flash'. The set ended fittingly on '24 Hour Party People' before the band left for Turnmills to party on, for god only knows how long.

Scores of new and up-and-coming bands pulled the punters into the Unsigned Tent and I Swear I Was There arena, with Art Brut and Ivory proving the pick of the bunch.

There was no reported trouble and instead a friendly, excitable atmosphere gripped the sold-out event, which also saw come backs from The Farm and The Smiths. Only on the decks though -  one legendary reunion's enough for one day!

Stay posted for full reviews and photo galleries.  
    

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