The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
When a Happy Monday meets with Big Country
Big Country’s Jamie Watson and Kav Sandhu of The Happy Mondays are coming to Kirkcaldy this May.
The chart-toppers are making their way to Fife to join pals and local trailblazers Mike Clerk and Davey Horne in their biggest home town show to date.
On Saturday May 25, Mike and Davey will be playing full live band sets in a packed double bill show at the Adam Smith Theatre.
And the show will be recorded and filmed to coincide with their anticipated new releases later in the year.
“I always wanted to do something really special in the hometown, and the fact that the theatre is slap bang in the middle, makes it a fantastic venue for this,” enthuses Mike, who hit headlines first during the Covid lockdown when he raised a whopping £4,000 in just 48 hours to support the release of his debut album.
“I’m glad we can do this here rather than somewhere further from home,” he adds.
“It lets everyone get involved who have so graciously been behind me to make it take off from the start.”
Following his hit crowdfunder, Mike landed a publishing contract with Wardlaw Music (The Zutons, U2).
And he found celebrity backing from the likes of Hollywood actor Robert Carlyle, Oasis’s Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, Gayle Porter and The Crown’s Dominic West for his music releases.
His subsequent debut album, The Space Between My Ears, saw him nab Record of the Week accomplishments in national press and radio.
“It’s all been a bit mental” says Mike. “All a bit surreal and overwhelming, to be honest. But I suppose I’ll just have to ride this train until I get found out.”
Meanwhile his partnerin-crime, singer-songwriter Davey Horne, has been working internationally, recording with country sensation Sheryl Crow’s band in Nashville.
His own upcoming releases feature The Black Crows guitarist Audley Freed and Pat Sansone from Chicago alt-rock stars Wilco.
After Mike was asked to guest on guitar for Big Country at the O2 in London, and Davey performed with Mike at shows alongside Jazz Kooner, Issy Pannayis, Bez, and Blitz Vega in London, the pair reckon their hometown show isn’t to be missed.
Happy Mondays guitarist Kav, who played with the band when they reformed in the early Noughties, is looking forward to “finally visiting” his good friend Mike’s hometown.
“I can’t wait for it,” says Kav.
“I love coming up to Scotland, and I love being able to play on Mike’s music.
“I did Edinburgh with him before and the people there, the show, it was all such a great atmosphere.
“I can’t wait to be a part of this show and finally visit his hometown which he always speaks so fondly of.”
• Mike Clerk and Davey Horne will play the Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, on May 25 2024. Tickets for the show can be found online at the OnFife website or in person at The Adam Smith Theatre box office.