The family of late Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield have hit out over plans to stage further concerts in his name without their consent.
It comes after reports emerged yesterday (August 11), that promoters and organisers in Manchester are seeking to hold future events following the tribute concert in his hometown earlier this year at the Diecast.
Cast, Peter Hook and The Kowloons all lined up to appear, along with a specially assembled band featuring musicians closely connected to Mani featuring Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim, ex-Happy Mondays member Rowetta, The Zutons‘ Dave McCabe, Mantra Of The Cosmos‘ Zak Starkey, Reverend And The Makers‘ Jon McClure, and many more. Mani (real name Gary Mounfield) died last November, aged 63.
According to the Manchester Evening News, organisers are planning to hold an annual concert again in 2027.
A spokesman for Madchester.com told the publication: “The event was a huge success and we are incredibly proud of what everyone achieved. Mani was a national treasure, and we want to keep his memory alive through music, friendship and the people who loved him.
“There are already plans to make the Manichester brand a regular calendar event, giving people the opportunity to come together each year and celebrate Mani’s incredible contribution to music and culture.”
A spokesman for one of the event’s sponsors, GioGoi added: “We were oversubscribed by tens of thousands of people. We could have filled Old Trafford. The appetite for Manichester was enormous.”
The news has led to the family and friends of Mani issuing a lengthy statement, shared by former Primal Scream bassist Simone Marie Butler, hitting out at the reports.
It read: “It has been less than nine months since we lost Mani. As a family, we are still grieving this monumental loss and his sons are doing their best to navigate life without their Dad.
“Recently it has come to our attention that multiple individuals, promoters and organisers are increasingly using Mani’s name, memory, and legacy to advertise events. To see his identity exploited to push external profiles and fill venues – without anyone ever reaching out to ask his boys or his immediate family for permission – is incredibly upsetting and disrespectful during an already painful time.”
It went on to say: “While we know that so many fans want to celebrate who Mani was and the incredible music he gave the world, we kindly but firmly ask all organisers, promoters and venues to stop using Mani’s name, image or likeness to advertise events without the family’s express consent.”
The statement went on to say that “official memorial or tribute events will be happening in the future” when the “family feels the time is right” and any “legitimate events will be fully sanctioned and lovingly organised by his sons.”
It added: “Please respect our privacy, our boundaries, and Mani’s memory by allowing his boys and his family to grieve in peace.”
Earlier this year, Mani‘s family cleared up a “misunderstanding” over the recent tribute gig to the late musician in Manchester, saying this “has now been resolved”.
Recently, a permanent tribute mural was unveiled in Manchester, dedicated to Mani.
