Shaun Ryder and Paul Ryder – The Happy Mondays – OSM Other Side of Midnight party Granada Studios Manchester – July 1989.
The Happy Mondays’ appearance on Tony Wilson’s Other Side of Midnight at Granada Studios in Manchester is one of the defining moments of the late 1980s/early 1990s rave and Madchester scenes. The show, which aired on ITV, was known for its eclectic mix of music, culture, and personality, and Wilson’s ability to bring together emerging subcultures and showcase Manchester’s most exciting musical acts. The end-of-series rave at Granada Studios, which took place in 1990, marked a pivotal moment not just for the show but for the cultural landscape of Manchester and beyond.
The Happy Mondays, as one of the key bands of the Madchester movement, had already captured the public’s imagination with their unique blend of acid house, rock, and funk. Their appearance on Other Side of Midnight brought this burgeoning scene to a broader audience, showcasing the energy, hedonism, and DIY spirit of both the band and the city. The show’s end-of-series rave at Granada Studios served as a platform for the Happy Mondays to perform live, giving viewers a direct connection to the vibrant, chaotic atmosphere of the Manchester club scene.
Granada Studios, with its iconic status as a cultural landmark in Manchester, became a perfect backdrop for this event. It was a space that had witnessed the rise of television icons and now became a crucible for the emerging rave culture. The setting reinforced the idea that Manchester was at the centre of a cultural revolution, with the Happy Mondays embodying the wild, experimental energy that defined the city’s music scene at the time.
Tony Wilson himself, as both a presenter and a cultural figure, was instrumental in documenting and promoting this moment. Known for his unwavering support of Manchester’s music scene, Wilson’s involvement with the Happy Mondays—whom he signed to his label Factory Records—made the appearance all the more significant. The show encapsulated his ethos: to champion the authentic, raw, and often untamed side of creativity. His role as a facilitator of these cultural moments helped solidify his reputation as a key figure in the Madchester scene, and the appearance of the Happy Mondays on *Other Side of Midnight* highlighted the growing importance of the city’s underground music culture on a national and even international scale.
Ultimately, the Happy Mondays’ appearance on the Other Side of Midnight represents a moment where Manchester’s club and rave culture found its place in the mainstream, elevating the city’s identity as a cultural hub and setting the stage for the next wave of British musical innovation. It also marked the climax of the first wave of the Madchester movement, which would continue to influence music, fashion, and youth culture throughout the 1990s.
Printed on FUJI CRYSTAL ARCHIVE GLOSS
Professional colour paper from the Fuji Crystal archive range with a gloss finish, which accentuates the colour to give more contrast, glossiness and a punchy, rich feel.
