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Happy Mondays tribute band need a new Bez look-a-like to dance with them

Happy Mondaze are recruiting for a new 'Bez'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 8th November 2022

There’s no one quite like Bez, aka Mark Berry, the maraca-wielding dancer best-known for writing around on stage with the Happy Mondays.

But if you’re a little bit like Bez, there’s a job ad that you’re going to want to take a look at…

Happy Mondaze, a Happy Mondays tribute band, are on the hunt for a new Bez look-a-like (and dance-a-like) to join the group.

The tribute act regularly plays across the UK at massive music events, and have performed for crowds up to 15,000-strong before.

Shortly after announcing their huge gig at Heaton Park this summer, part of the Clone Roses 25th anniversary concert, Happy Mondaze posted a job ad to help them recruit a new member.

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Happy Mondaze
Happy Mondays tribute band Happy Mondaze performing together. Credit: Supplied

The new ‘Bez’ will play some shows in December, including a New Year’s Eve gig.

There are a few requirements for the chosen dancer – beyond looking and dancing like Bez.

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They’ll need to be based in or around Manchester, be available for weekend shows, and be available on the 9th, 10th, 16th and 31st December.

Happy Mondaze also said the successful candidate will need to be ‘confident in front of an audience and happy to engage in audience interaction/banter’.

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The actual Happy Mondays group sadly had to cancel a huge run of tour dates earlier this year following the tragic death of Paul Ryder, bassist and founding member.

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They then went on to release a charity EP to raise money for charity MusiCares, chosen by Paul’s daughter Amelia that ‘helps people in the music industry who are struggling with addiction issues’.

Anyone who thinks they could be ‘Bez’ in the Happy Mondaze should get in touch, along with a photo, at [email protected].

Featured image: Happy Mondays

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Manchester’s Barton Aerodrome announces huge line-up of outdoor gigs including McFly, JLS and UB40

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Barton Live, a summer gig series at Barton Aerodrome, has added to its huge line-up. Credit: Supplied

Three new shows have been announced for an open-air gig series at Barton Aerodrome this summer. 

Barton LIVE has today confirmed that McFly, JLS and UB40 will be taking to the stage, where the backdrop will be the bustling runway of Barton Airport. 

The summer series also includes performances from The Jacksons Live, 90s Baby Festival, and Boogietown North.

Barton LIVE’s summer series takes place at one of the country’s most unique and exhilarating settings at Barton Aerodrome, where the worlds of music and aviation come together. 

The three new shows that have just been announced kick off with McFly on Thursday 12 September. 

The pop-rockers, famed for their hits like Five Colours In Her Hair, All About You and Obviously, will take centre stage with a typically high-energy performance. 

Then on Saturday 14 September, the stage will be given over to British boy band royalty JLS, whose chart-topping hits include Beat Again, Everybody in Love, and She Makes Me Wanna. 

Their signature blend of R&B, pop, soul and silky-smooth vocals will be part of Barton LIVE’s star-studded end-of-summer line-up. 

Barton Live, a summer gig series at Barton Aerodrome, has added to its huge line-up. Credit: Supplied

Finally, on Sunday 15 September, legendary reggae band UB40 featuring Ali Campbell will perform. 

They’ll be whisking audiences away to the warm and vibrant Caribbean through their iconic reggae rhythms and songs like Red Red Wine, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and Kingston Town. 

Tickets for McFly, JLS and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell at Barton LIVE will be available on Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up for tickets via www.bartonlive.co.uk

Over the course of the summer, the stage at Barton Aerodrome will welcome the likes of Ronan Keating, The Jacksons, Peter Andre, Blue, Eternal, Sister Sledge Ft Kathy Sledge, Soul II Soul, Boney M and many more.

Barton LIVE line-up in full for outdoor gig series at Barton Aerodrome

Barton Live, a summer gig series at Barton Aerodrome, has added to its huge line-up. Credit: Supplied
  • Friday 19 July – The Jacksons LIVE (The Jacksons, Kenny Thomas, Soul Boutique Collective) – tickets £39.50 plus booking fee via Skiddle here.
  • Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July – 90s Baby Festival (Ronan Keating, Eternal, Peter Andre, Blue, Five, A1, Scott Mills, 911, Sonique, Blazin Squad, Dave Pearce, Phats & Small, N-Trance, Happy Clappers Ft Sandra Edwards, Baby D, Alison Limerick, Ultrabeat, JX, Livin Joy Ft Luzahnn, Urban Cookie Collective, Nick Coulson + support) – tickets £39.50 from Skiddle here. 
  • Saturday 27 July – Boogietown North (Sister Sledge Ft Kathy Sledge, Soul II Soul, Tunde Of Lighthouse Family, Boney M, Trevor Nelson, Craig Charles, Gina Breeze, Supernatire Disco, Nick Coulson) – tickets £39.50 from Skiddle here. 
  • Thursday 12 September – McFly – tickets £44.50 plus booking fee, on sale Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up via bartonlive.co.uk
  • Saturday 14 September – JLS – tickets £49.50 plus booking fee, on sale Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up via bartonlive.co.uk
  • Sunday 15 September – UB40 featuring Ali Cambell, tickets £39.50 plus booking fee, on sale Friday 26 April at 9am. Sign up via bartonlive.co.uk

Featured image: Supplied

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Peter Kay’s gigs at Co-op Live have been postponed as the arena admits it’s not ready for opening act

Danny Jones Danny Jones Peter Kay Co-op Live gigs cancelled

Just a day before the venue was set to welcome its very first act, Co-op Live has announced that arena opener Peter Kay’s gigs have unfortunately been cancelled and postponed until later this month.

Both of Peter Kay‘s highly-anticipated shows have ultimately had to be called off after Co-op Live revealed that the brand-new entertainment venue is simply not ready to welcome guests just yet, with work still to be completed on key areas of the building, namely power supply issues.

Issuing a regretful statement on social media, the arena has confirmed that the shows will now be rescheduled to Monday and Tuesday, 29-30 April.

This comes barely a day after its official opening event this past weekend which also saw thousands have their tickets cancelled for the accompanying ‘test gig’.

Co-op Live confirms Peter Kay’s pair of opening shows have been cancelled and rescheduled.

Addressing the situation online, Co-op Live said: “Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay…

“It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind. Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly.

“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size. Peter Kay has very graciously agreed to perform his record-breaking comedy at Co-op Live on 29 (rescheduled from 23) and 30 (rescheduled from 24) April 2024.

“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend. We are very sorry for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause for some.” Safe to say many of those looking forward to the show have been left frustrated.

Speaking to The Manc, a Stockport gig-goer who had tickets said they had to find out via social media and that her group had still received no email notifying them about the cancellation, adding, “We just logged into the app to find the date on our tickets had been changed to next Monday”.

As for the beloved Bolton-born stand-up and British comedy legend himself, Kay added: “I’m truly gutted as I know how disappointing this will be for everyone with tickets, but obviously it’s a brand-new venue and it’s important that everything is finished and safe for full capacity audiences.

“Fortunately, we’ve been able to reschedule the shows to next week, (I’ll have to miss my Bums & Tums class) but hopefully I’ll see you then.”

The venue also went on to assure that they will still be hosting The Black Keys on 27 April in the lower bowl with 10k fans as planned and will continue to test the resilience of the venue and its operations for the time being.

They also reminded fans who previously missed out on tickets that due to dates being moved, tickets may now become available.

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Featured Images — The Manc Audio/Press Images

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