Britpop stalwarts Cast turned their “30 Years of All Change” tour stop at Manchester’s Albert Hall into a heartfelt tribute to one of the city’s most beloved musical figures, dedicating part of their set to the late Stone Roses bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield, who passed away last week.
The Liverpool band were in the city on Saturday (22 November) for a sold-out show marking three decades since their debut album, but the milestone took on extra resonance following the death of the legendary Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist at the age of 63.
After powering through a run of early All Change favourites, frontman John Power paused the set midway to reflect on Mani’s legacy and their history together, recalling his own days playing bass in The La’s while Mani was helping shape the Madchester sound with his signature Stone Roses basslines.
A spontaneous chant of “Mani, Mani, Mani” broke out across the crowd before Power dedicated the classic “Walkaway” to him as it quickly turned into a communal sing-along for one of the city’s most cherished musical heroes.
Mani’s death at the age of 63 was announced by his brother Greg, who wrote: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother… RIP RKID.” Tributes have since poured in from across the industry. Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown posted: “REST IN PEACE MANi X.” Liam Gallagher said he was “in total shock and absolutely devastated”, calling the bassist “my hero”, while Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder sent “heartfelt condolences to his twin boys and all of his family.”
Tim Burgess described him as “one of the absolute best in every way – such a beautiful friend”, and Echo & the Bunnymen’s Ian McCulloch said he had loved Mani “deeply and forever”.
Aside from the full sweep of All Change cuts, Cast’s return to Manchester included a career-spanning set that included new tracks Free Love, Oh Yeah and Poison Vine from their forthcoming Album, as well as Free Me, Guiding Star, I’m So Lonely, and fan favourite Live the Dream from Mother Nature Calls and Love Is the Call and Tomorrow Call My Name from 2024 album Love is the Call.
The tour rolls on to Sheffield this week and then Newcastle before a run of dates in Scotland and back on home turf in Liverpool at the Olympia on December 5.
Pictures by Lucy Evans @lfephoto; video Karl Holbrook
