Turns out it’s a not so happy Monday… after originally announcing a trip Down Under for May, Madchester icons Happy Mondays rescheduled their Australian Tour for June, adding fellow Manchester music legends 808 State as support.

News arrives however, just two days out from the Happy Mondays tour kicking off at Metropolis in Perth, that the four-date tour has been cancelled after the band’s management and local promoters allegedly failed to arrive to a “mutual agreeable solution,” as TheMusic reports.

Australian promoters KillRockStar Big Dog Entertainment have issued a statement stating that the Happy Mondays tour “has now been cancelled by the band’s management citing medical issues with drummer Gary Whelan.” The statement continues to read:

While details remain hazy, a mutually agreeable solution could not be found to rescue the tour. Happy Mondays management officially cancelled the tour over the weekend.

KRBD would like to apologise to all fans and ticket holders for any inconvenience caused. Patrons who purchased tickets via credit card will be automatically refunded and do not need to do take any action. Patrons who purchased tickets with cash at an outlet need to return their tickets to the point of purchase for a full refund. Happy Monday…”

The classic Happy Mondays lineup of Shaun Ryder, Paul Ryder, Mark Day, Gary Whelan, singer Rowetta, and band mascot Bez, were to kickstart their Australian tour this Wednesday in Perth before playing headline shows in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney, dates that were rescheduled from the band’s originally postponed shows in May.

In a recent interview with Tone Deaf, Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder was unclear as to why the original May dates had been pushed back. “No idea,” he offered. “I mean it might have something to do with visas? I think. I think that’s what it is, the visas [for] some certain members of the band.”

Ryder was also open about the bands more hedonistic Factory Records-era, saying that the group has mellowed somewhat since their controversy stirring formative years. “We were boys when we started. We’re now all 50-year-old men. Back in the days there was a lot of drama, a lot of issues, all that comes with being a young kid,” he reasons. “We’re just old men now, there’s no drama, there’s no drugs, there’s no sex. It’s just rock and roll and it’s just a pleasure to go and play the songs.”

As for Happy Mondays much-touted sixth studio album, the band’s first with the original lineup in over 20 years, Ryder confessed: “We haven’t been doin’ it – we’ve got Mondays shows for the next couple of years, and we’ll probably do Mondays shows for the next 20 years… I’ve got a solo album that’s going to come out at the end of the year, but no Mondays album yet.”

Not much solace for the many Happy Mondays fans who will no doubt be ‘Bummed’ the band have cancelled their Australian shows, view the cancelled dates below.

The Happy Mondays 2013 Australian Tour

Wednesday 5 June Metropolis. Fremantle, Perth.
with special guest DJ set by 808 State
www.oztix.com.au / www.heatseeker.com.au

Thursday 6 June Palace. Melbourne
with special guest DJ set by 808 State and Underground Lovers
www.ticketek.com.au / www.oztix.com.au

Friday 7 June Tivoli. Brisbane
with special guest DJ set by 808 State
www.ticketek.com.au

Monday 10 June Roundhouse. Sydney
with special guest DJ set by 808 State
www.ticketek.com.au

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