9 things you might not know about The Happy Mondays as group announces North East set

Bez at Hacienda Classical in Sunderland.

The band have been announced today as one of the headliners for next year's Sunniside Live festival, taking place in the city in July.

They will close the two-day event on Saturday, July 8.

The Happy Mondays have been announced as headliners for Sunniside Live.

So if you've already bought your tickets and are getting ready to 'ave it large, here are some things we think you should know about the Happy Mondays.

1. Their third studio album, Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches, went platinum in the UK. It sold more than 350,000 copies. Famous track Step On is on this album.

2. The group were discovered at Manchester's Haçienda nightclub. This year, Bez and Rowetta appeared at Haçienda Classical, held in Herrington Country Park.

3. Paul McCartney once reportedly said in NME that The Happy Mondays "reminded him of the Beatles in their 'Strawberry Fields' phase".

4. Lead singer Shaun Ryder used to write a column for the Daily Sport newspaper.

The Happy Mondays announced as Sunniside Live headliner

5. The band disbanded for the first time in 1993. They have reformed with a variety of line-ups since that time.

6. According to Shaun Ryder, the first instruments used by The Happy Mondays were stolen from a school.

7. The Happy Mondays have had seven songs reach the UK Top 40. They've also had a number one in the US Dance Chart.

8. Shaun Ryder appeared on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in 2010. He came second to Stacey Solomon. He has also appeared in Shameless.

9. Bez appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2005 - and ended up winning the series.

Heather Small will headline Sunniside Live's Friday date. The full line-up will be announced soon.

For more information, and for tickets, click here.