I know you hate to bellyache but apparently the moment is here for nostalgic baby ravers. Happy Mondays dancing fellah Bez was stopped at the border and won’t be fronting the band at the group’s first US performance in 15 years at Coachella Sunday, April 29. Read the statement from their reps and weep:
Due to tightening immigration and working visa legislation, Bez was not, unfortunately, able to secure a visa to perform at Coachella this weekend.
Bez will however be appearing in the UK in May with Happy Mondays on their sold-out UK tour.
Happy Mondays apologies to all their US fans that they will not, on this occasion, be able to enjoy the spectacle of Bez shaking his stuff for them at Coachella.
As legendary for their lifestyle as their unique collision of rave beats, indie rock and street poetry, the biggest surprise is probably that the band members have even survived this long. But they have, and Shaun Ryder, Bez, and Gaz Whelan have a brand new album tucked under their arms. The biggest question on most peoples’ lips is, probably, why now?