In this episode of the Happy Somedays Podcast, we were honoured to be joined by a real Manchester music legend. Her powerful, soulful voice has been heard on numerous tracks spanning multiple genres across the years as a successful soloist and through collaborations with Peter Hook & The Light, Shed Seven and of course the Happy Mondays. It is a real pleasure to welcome Rowetta to the podcast! Recorded for the first time at Wythenshawe Forum library’s Creative Space, Rowetta chatted to us about her early life and her career. From starting out aged 12 and being “discovered” by a local landlady to experiencing racism at gigs and having to show bravery and resilience to get through them in order to get paid. She would find that her voice could bring crowds together and she spoke positively of the generations she sees at shows when out on tour. She also tells us of her journey to joining the Happy Mondays and how she had to enter a contest put on by the Manchester Evening News in order to fly to Ibiza with them, as she was told it wasn’t “cost effective” for her to go with them at the time. She also speaks positively about the Live From Wythenshawe Park gigs that she played with Shed Seven and her shock and delight at THAT Oasis announcement! Rowetta also touched upon her time on the X Factor 20 years ago this year as well as her love of Manchester United and being asked to help launch the Stone Roses kits. She also looks ahead to the future with new boss Ruben Amorim, hoping the good times will return. Rowetta will be playing Mike Sweeney’s Extravaganza in aid of Children In Need on Saturday 9th November at Stockport Plaza. Tickets are £15 for adults and are available here: https://stockportplaza.co.uk/whats-on/mike-sweeneys-extravaganza/ She is also touring with Shed Seven at selected dates across November and December 2024. Tickets are available via Gigs and Tours, See Tickets and Ticketmaster. Rowetta also confirmed she will be singing with them at their gig in Castlefield Bowl in Summer 2025. The Happy Mondays are also confirmed for a number of festival appearances in 2025. To see when and where they are playing, check out tour news on www.happymondaysofficial.co.uk Thanks again to Rowetta for coming on the podcast! Chapters: 00:00 – 02:15 – Intro 02:15 – 07:45 – Somedays meets Mondays 07:45 – 11:10 – Finding and working with Baba Lola 11:10 – 17:20 – Racism, Resilience and Early Life/Career 17:20 – 23:20 – Music Is Power & Love of Performing 23:20 – 26:30 – Salford Lads Club 26:30 – 29:15 – Performing at Wythenshawe Park & THAT Oasis announcement 29:15 – 36:30 – Joining Happy Mondays 36:30 – 38:30 – “Cost Effective” Touring 38:30 – 41:15 – Evening News Competition 41:15 – 44:45 – Spanning Generations 44:45 – 48:50 – Shed Seven and Number One 48:50 – 53:15 – That’s My Voice! 53:15 – 1:02:10 – Love/Hate relationship with Man United 1:02:10 – 1:06:50 – Upcoming Gigs/Projects and End