Madchester. It was all the rave in the late 80s and early 90s, as rock and roll and acid house and the rave scene grew out of Manchester clubs like The Haçienda before being exported throughout the rock and roll kingdom. Bands like James, Happy Mondays, Inspiral Carpets, The Charlatans, and The Stone Roses emerged from the ecstasy-fueled scene, influencing as many bands as Joy Divison had a generation earlier. Not an incidental connection, in fact, as the club was founded and funded largely by Factory Records and New Order.
The scene burned itself out, the club closed, and The Stone Roses largely disappeared from public view. Disappeared, that is, until last year, when the band resurfaced and word leaked by Noel Gallagher and others indicated that a new album was finally in the works. As Coachella has become known for over the years, the surprisingly re-united band will headline the festival, marking their full return to rock and roll relevance. You know, as far as one can be relevant to the masses while shoegazing.
