James & Happy Mondays in London,

Formed in Salford, England, and led by Shaun Ryder, Happy Mondays fused indie and acid house to pioneer the Madchester sound. Their influential albums include Bummed and Pills n Thrills and Bellyaches, featuring hits like Step On and Kinky Afro.

Manchester-formed alternative rock band James, established in 1982, is celebrated for anthemic melodies and enduring live performances. Known for hits like "Sit Down" and "Laid," their distinctive sound blends indie pop and rock. They achieved a UK Official Album Chart Number 1 with "Yummy" (2024) and their "Best Of" compilation (1998), selling over 25 million albums worldwide. Brian Eno notably produced their album "Laid".