Audio
Happy Mondays release new charity EP in memory of late band member Paul Ryder
"He brought the funk and the rock n roll to Happy Mondays… love you long time R kid."
Happy Mondays have released a new EP in memory of their late band member Paul Ryder, with all profits going to charity.
The bassist for the iconic Madchester band, and brother of frontman Shaun Ryder, was sadly confirmed to have suddenly passed away at the age of 58 on 15 July – with his surviving bandmates describing him as “a true pioneer and legend” who will be “forever missed”.
Now, in a tribute to his legacy and to raise funds for a very worthy charity, the band has decided to release a new three-track EP named after and containing two previously-unreleased live versions of ‘Tart Tart’ – the lead single off their debut studio album ‘Squirrel And G-Man…’, which was released back in 1987 to critical acclaim.
The first ‘Tart Tart’ recording is from a 1989 John Peel session on BBC Radio 1, and the second was recorded at a live show at Sheffield University that same year.
Read more: Happy Mondays star Paul Ryder has died aged 58
“This special release of ‘Tart Tart’ showcases the unique musical talent of our brother Paul Ryder who passed from this world… we will all miss you Horse,” his brother Shaun Ryder said on the EP’s release
“He brought the funk and the rock n roll to Happy Mondays… love you long time R kid.”
As well as being able to find the the EP on all downloading and streaming platforms, fans can even pre-order a special seven-inch vinyl edition of ‘Tart Tart’ from Happy Mondays’ official store, with the physical version due to arrive on 18 November.
All profits from the release of the EP will be donated to MusiCares – a charity chosen by Paul’s daughter Amelia that “helps people in the music industry who are struggling with addiction issues”.
Amelia explained: “Fourteen years ago, Paul was given help and support from the organisation who helped fund extended outpatient care and therapy that enabled him to have 14 subsequent happy and productive years.”
She added: “Just two weeks ago, he mentioned them in an interview and often expressed his gratitude and desire to pay their support forward so others could be helped too.”
You can listen to the ‘Tart Tart’ EP here.
Featured Image – Paul Husband Photography / Happy Mondays (via Facebook)
Audio
James Blunt announces huge Manchester gig on new European arena tour
Daisy Jackson
Singer-songwriter James Blunt is heading back out on tour next year, and has announced a massive Manchester gig as part of his run of arena shows.
The singer, perhaps best-known for his iconic 2005 pop ballad ‘You’re Beautiful’, is hitting the road again in 2027.
The newly-announced European tour is in celebration of his new album Airplane Mode, which is set for release this autumn.
James Blunt will kick off his tour in Leeds next spring, before heading over for a night at the almighty Co-op Live in Manchester.
Then he’ll head to more cities including Newcastle, Birmingham and London.
His new album, Airplane Mode, is being released on 6 November and will, according to his press release, be ‘exhilarating’.
James has already released the first single, ‘Tastes Like Summer’, and ‘Weight Of It All’, with 10 more songs to come on the record.
Airplane Mode was recorded with James’ brilliant long-standing live band, who’ll be back on tour with him next year.
Speaking of the new album, and recording in Pig Music Studios, he said: “Somewhere back there, I lost my way, but found it again in a studio in Banbury.”
James Blunt will be at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on 3 April, 2027. Tickets go on sale from 10am on 9 September.
James Blunt UK and Ireland 2027 tour dates
- 26 March – Leeds
- 27 March – Birmingham
- 28 March – Newcastle
- 30 March – Dublin
- 31 March – Belfast
- 2 April – Glasgow
- 3 April – Manchester
- 4 April – London
- 6 April – Cardiff
- 7 April – Bournemouth
- 8 April – Brighton
Read more
Featured image: Supplied
Audio
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
Read more:
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
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Featured Image: @samserved (via Instagram)
Emily Sergeant -
1st August 2022 
