Happy Mondays boosted by Oasis return, says Bez

Happy Mondays star Bez says the band have been boosted by the "incredible" long-awaited comeback of Oasis.

The maracas player, real name Mark Berry, said the return of the Britpop legends shone a renewed light on the Manchester music scene and the artists it spawned.

The 62-year-old toured with his Happy Mondays bandmates in March and April to celebrate 35 years since the release of album Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches.

The group are scheduled to play two more UK shows this year, including in Keele, Staffordshire, on 13 November.

Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke ahead of the gig, Bez said: "We're lucky enough to be part of that Manchester scene which, at the time, grew so big it was unbelievable.

"We've got that legendary status from that time, and of course Oasis coming back last year helped all things Manchester again, so I think that's given us a push as well."

Liam and Noel Gallagher announced the return of Oasis in 2024 before they reunited on stage in July 2025 – the first time they had performed together since 2009.

"It's absolutely incredible, the phenomenon of Oasis," Bez said.

"I was actually blown away by it all, both to see them at Heaton Park and to see hordes of young people all running around. It was just an incredible moment."

Happy Mondays were formed in Salford in 1980, with Bez joining as a dancer and maracas player in 1986.

They saw commercial success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their hits including Step On and Kinky Afro.

Bez said the members knew each other when they were growing up and described them as a "schoolboy band".

"It's so great because it's so rare these days that you get that," he added.

"The most amazing thing about it all is, when we did actually set off, we were all so naive in music because, these days, people go to college or sixth form.

"You're forced into some sort of education and a lot of people choose to go to music college and learn the basics of music.

"When we set off, we didn't even know what one-two-three-four time was."

Bez said he still loved gigging and the "comradeship" which came with the bandmates being together.

Nowadays he is also accompanied on the road by his wife, Firouzeh, who joined the group as a singer.

He said: "It's nice to share the bedroom with somebody and get a cuddle – you can't beat that early-morning cuddle."

Bez has also appeared on popular Channel 4 show Celebrity Gogglebox with his bandmate Shaun Ryder.

He remembered filming episodes during the Covid-19 pandemic and the social distancing rules which were in force at the time.

"We [Shaun and I] were looking at each other going 'do you know what germs we've shared over the years?'. We've been in a band for 40 years together."

Bez described the programme as a "great show" and revealed how they would be "plied" with drinks during filming sessions.

"Obviously after a few Jamesons and Guinnesses you get quite loose-tongued," he added. "Some of our observations can't be used on television as we get carried away."

Happy Mondays will be performing at the Keele University Students' Union in Keele, Staffordshire, on 13 November.

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