Bez DJ Set - Arena Torquay
Schedule
Fri, 19 Sep, 2025 at 08:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
39-41 Torwood Street, TQ1 1DZ Torquay, United Kingdom | Torquay, EN
We are thrilled to announce that Bez, iconic dancer and percussionist from Happy Mondays, will take to the main stage at Arena Torquay. Renowned for his infectious energy and distinctive dance moves that became synonymous with the Madchester music scene.📆 Friday 19th September
🕖 Venue Doors: 7pm (Bar & Kitchen open from 5pm)
🎸 Local DJ (TBA) to open @ 8pm
🎸 Fat Boy Tim @ 9.30pm
👑 BEZ @ 11.30pm
BUY TICKETS: https://www.seetickets.com/event/bez-dj-set/arena-torquay/3297938
www.arenatorquay.com
Bez
The man, the myth, the legend.
There’s a lot to be said for simply being yourself. Just ask Bez AKA Mark Berry, who’s forged a route to the heart of the nation simply by being himself, an Energizer Bunny indie icon who’s endured from the Happy Mondays heyday to winning Celebrity Big Brother. And let’s be honest, anyone who can survive – no strive – during the Happy Mondays heyday and is here to tell the story, boggle-eyed dancing and all, deserves our respect.
Let’s start with the facts.
Born in the 60s to a police detective father and raised in Salford, Bez was literally dragged on stage by school-friend Shaun Ryder to become part of the Happy Mondays for their debut live show at The Hacienda in 1980. Tripping on microdots (obviously), the pair immediately created a riot on and off stage, with Bez leaving quite the impression: not only did he shake his maraca so hard it left a wound on his hand, he impressed watching Factory Records’ boss Tony Wilson. “Tony Wilson said to Shaun, ‘Who’s that kid on stage with you? You’ve got to have him again,’ recalls Bez.” From that moment on, I’ve always been a Happy Monday.”
The band were at the forefront of the Madchester scene, combining the blissful energy of the emerging dance music and acid house scene with an indie ethos. Signed to Factory Records, Happy Mondays encapsulated everything great about Madchester from the jangly pop of The Smiths to the pioneering electronic vibes of New Order. And with ring-leader Shaun Ryder creating a low-slung sleazy dancefloor sound and Bez leading the party from the front, all rubber-limbed moves and boggle-eyed stares, their man-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude and everyman-approach won them fans around the world.
