Home   What's On   News   Article

Happy Mondays to headline Blue Reef Festival at Loddington Farm in Linton, near Maidstone, this summer

Manchester favourites Happy Mondays are set to headline a surfer-themed festival this summer.

The group, who formed part of the city’s Factory Records scene in the 1980s alongside the likes of New Order and James, will take to the stage at this year’s Blue Reef Festival in Linton, near Maidstone.

‘80s band Happy Mondays will headline this year’s Blue Reef Festival in Linton. Picture: Vikki Lince
‘80s band Happy Mondays will headline this year’s Blue Reef Festival in Linton. Picture: Vikki Lince

The band formed in Salford in 1980 with singer Shaun Ryder at the helm. Other members included his brother Paul Ryder (bass), Gaz Whelan (drums), Paul Davis (keyboard) and Mark Day (guitar).

In later years, the group would be joined on stage by dancer and maracas player Mark Berry, also known as Bez, and second vocalist Rowetta.

The group were signed to Tony Wilson's Factory Records label off the back of their demo tape and went onto release a string of singles, including Step On, Kinky Afro and Loose Fit.

Paul Ryder passed away in 2022, but Shaun, Gaz and Bez continue to perform, with Shaun and Bez often making an appearance together on Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox.

The band will headline the main stage on the second day of Blue Reef Festival.

This year’s line-up also includes ‘90s rock band Republica, chart-topping singer Newton Faulkner and Reef, best known for their single Place Your Hands.

Funke and the Two-Tone Baby, Oasish, Two Weeks in Nashville, Samuel Ashton and The Molotovs are also set to appear at the festival, which is based around surf, skate, BMX and VW culture.

KSS Paramedic Stuart Plumbley, left, helped save Blue Reef founder John Wingate’s life during a work accident in 2014
KSS Paramedic Stuart Plumbley, left, helped save Blue Reef founder John Wingate’s life during a work accident in 2014

The event is now entering its fifth year after being launched in 2021 by John Wingate.

John, from Ditton, left his old job after suffering a punctured lung, broken ribs and a lacerated liver when he became pinned down by a two-tonne wood-cutting machine.

After spending three weeks in intensive care, the former carpenter decided to start a new career path and opened Blue Reef, a skateboard shop, cafe and workshop inspired by his family’s love of the seaside and surfing down in Cornwall.

John celebrated the shop’s 10th anniversary with a “small party” at the site five years ago, which then grew into a full-blown festival and now attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Blue Reef Festival takes place on Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 at Loddington Farm in Linton. You can book tickets online here.

Day tickets, weekend tickets and camping pitches are still available.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More