This wasn’t just another headline set. It was a celebration of Manchester attitude, working-class swagger and dancefloor rebellion. The crowd instantly became one giant party.
As soon as the opening bars rang out, strangers became friends. Arms were around shoulders. Drinks were raised. Everyone, from those who’d followed the band since the Hacienda days to younger festival-goers discovering them live for the first time, was united by the infectious groove that only Happy Mondays seem able to create. There is something timeless about their music, still sounding as joyful, mischievous and gloriously unconventional today as they did decades ago.
The beauty of The Brit Fest is that it doesn’t try to be Britain’s biggest festival. Instead, it feels personal. The layout is easy to navigate, the atmosphere relaxed, and there’s room to actually enjoy yourself without spending half the day in queues. It’s a festival where great music comes first and community follows naturally. You could see generations sharing the experience, parents introducing children to the bands they grew up with, lifelong mates reliving youth, and newcomers discovering why these artists still command such affection.
As darkness settled over Ashley Hall Showground, Happy Mondays delivered exactly what everyone had hoped for, a set full of rhythm, nostalgia and unapologetic fun. No gimmicks. No over-production. Just a band with decades of experience reminding everyone that great songs never go out of fashion. One of the most heartwarming aspects of the festival was the presence of the Seashell a national charity whose dedicated team were on hand throughout the day. Their involvement was a wonderful reminder that The Brit Fest is about more than great music, it’s about community, inclusion and creating opportunities to support an organisation that makes a life-changing difference to children and young adults with complex disabilities. It added an extra layer of meaning to an already memorable day.
Special guest mention to Chris Helme, whose warm, unmistakable voice brought a wonderfully serene yet uplifted energy with his performance in the VIP Tent. Best known as the former frontman of The Seahorses, Helme delivered an honest, soulful set that showcased the strength of his songwriting and reminded the audience why his music has stood the test of time. The Brit Fest 2026 runs from 2nd to 5th of July, and if Fridays ambience and line up was anything to go by, it has firmly established itself as one of Cheshire’s standout summer events. The Brit Fest doesn’t try to compete with the sprawling giants of the festival circuit and is tucked away in the beautiful Cheshire countryside. It feels welcoming rather than overwhelming, stylish without pretension, and refreshingly easy to enjoy. By Friday evening, it was clear that the organisers had once again struck the perfect balance between great music, good food, happy families and an audience simply delighted to be there. In fact, The Brit Fest was the winner for Leading Event of the Year award 2025 and finalist at the Visit Cheshire Tourism Awards 2026, this is following previous recognition at the UK Festival Awards and a High Sheriff’s Award for Community Contribution. It’s relaxed without feeling sleepy, nostalgic without feeling dated, and packed with enough quality music to satisfy lifelong fans while creating new ones.
Happy Review - Happy Mondays didn’t just headline Friday. They owned it.
For more info and tickets https://thebritfest.co.uk
Reviewer: Mary Fogg
On: 3rd July 2026
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