This coming spring, Australia will embrace the Madchester sound when pioneers of the scene Happy Mondays return.
The tour, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their seminal album 'Pills 'N' Thrills And Bellyaches', will visit Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane this September.
"🪇 AUSTRALIA! We're thrilled to be returning to celebrate 35 years of 'Pills 'N' Thrills And Bellyaches' with you all in 2026," posted the band.
Released in 1990, and the band's third album overall, 'Pills 'N' Thrills' was produced with Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne (U2, Elbow, New Order), and features two of Happy Mondays biggest hits: 'Step On' and 'Kinky Afro'.
A record that soundtracked the era, fusing funk, rock, psychedelia and house with the pulsating energy of the burgeoning rave scene, 'Pills 'N' Thrills' was Happy Mondays ticket to the mainstream, the record spending six months in the UK Albums Chart. It also sneaked into the Top 100 in Australia at #98.
Read our review of Happy Mondays' 2019 Sydney concert.
Fronted by the inimitable Shaun Ryder, with Bez (freaky dancing, percussion), Mark Day (guitar), Gary Whelan (drums), Mikey Shine (bass), Dan Broad (musical director/ guitar/ keys) and Firouzeh Berry (backing vocals), the band will perform highlights from the classic album, alongside fan favourites such as '24 Hour Party People', 'Hallelujah', 'Judge Fudge', and 'W.F.L.'.
"Always a great buzz when we play Australia. Looking forward to bringing the Happy Mondays 'Pills 'N' Thrills' party there in September," Shaun Ryder says.
This isn't just a tour, it's a full-throttle revival of Madchester chaos, and the year's wildest party.
Tickets on sale from 9am (local time) on 30 January.
Happy Mondays 2026 Tour Dates
Wed 2 Sep - Astor Theatre (Perth)
Fri 4 Sep - Forum Melbourne
Sat 5 Sep - Enmore Theatre (Sydney)
Sun 6 Sep - The Gov (Adelaide)
Wed 9 Sep - The Fortitude Music Hall (Brisbane)
