An all-star gig paying tribute to the life and music of Stone Roses icon Gary “Mani” Mounfield will be taking place in Manchester this May.
- READ MORE: Gary “Mani” Mounfield, 1962-2025: baggy bass hero whose melodies made the Madchester movement
The Manchester music icon, who was also a member of Primal Scream between 1996 and 2011, passed away from respiratory issues in November at the age of 63. He was laid to rest the following month at a funeral at Manchester Cathedral, which was attended by Liam Gallagher, Paul Weller, Ian Brown and more.
In celebration of his life, a gig dubbed ‘Manichester’ in his honour is taking place at Manchester’s 5,000-capacity venue Diecast on Saturday, May 30. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 27 – you can buy yours here.
It has been organised by former Ocean Colour Scene bassist Damon Minchella, who is also performing on the night.
“We were playing in São Paulo and I played the bassline to ‘She Bangs the Drums’ into ‘Bittersweet Symphony’,” he told Manchester Evening News, referencing a tribute to Mani during a concert he played with Richard Ashcroft. The reaction from 80,000 people was insane — just from that bassline. That’s the power and legacy of Mani..”
Cast, Peter Hook and The Kowloons have been booked to perform, alongside a specially assembled band featuring musicians closely connected to Mani. This consists of Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim, ex-Happy Mondays member Rowetta, ex-Primal Scream member Simone Butler and Mick Rossi from Slaughter and the Dogs.
They are joined by Dave McCabe from The Zutons, Baz Fratelli from The Fratellis, Zak Starkey from Mantra of the Cosmos, drummer Steve White, and Jon McClure from Reverend and the Makers.
The event was organised in association with Madchester.com and fashion label GIOGOI and has the blessing of Mani’s family.
“I think it will be brilliant. With the names already involved, and more to come, I know he’d have been absolutely buzzing about it,” his younger brother Greg told the paper.
The event will raise funds for Mani’s 12-year-old twin sons Gene and George.
In other news, a crowdfunder was recently launched for a permanent tribute mural in the north Manchester suburb of Failsworth where Mani grew up.