In the UK in the late 80’s rave culture exploded - bands like the Stone Roses legendary 1988 performance at Spike Island near Liverpool were touchstones forging a new direction that fused trance grooves with conventional indie guitar rock elements.

In this post Smiths environment - Johnny Marr would gravitate towards electronica - as well as Manchester’s New Order and Happy Mondays.

The influence of Factory Records and music impresario Tony Wilson would cement this northern movement - away from London that had always had the spotlight.

Of equal importance is the confluence of fashion (baggy jeans and sweatshirts) and drugs - ecstasy in particular.

It combined to form a culture of carefree stoned hedonism and DJ rave culture - hence the “Second Summer of Love” and word play on Manchester to be “Madchester” !

Many great albums emerged at this time that would influence future genres (and bands) such as Britpop ,dance culture and neo-soul in the 90’s.

Think Oasis,Blur,Soul To Soul, M People etc

Notably “Pills ’N’ Thrills And Bellyaches” by the Happy Mondays released in 1990 was a touchstone and emblematic of the Manchester scene.

Infectious grooves , total danceability ,humor and great guitar playing were all there.

Shaun Ryder and the bands irreverence were on display - notably dancer and percussionist Bez !

This movement seemed like what Punk had done in the late 70’s.

There was a distinct culture , venues , fashion and record labels that were able to operate outside of the mainstream record industry.

In time the fashion and music would become mainstream culture - but for a brief period in the late 80’s and early 90’s bands like the Happy Mondays were riding high!

More info here:

https://www.discogs.com/master/10610-Happy-Mondays-Pills-N-Thrills-And-Bellyaches?redirected=true