The family of Gary 'Mani' Mounfield have moved to clear up confusion surrounding an upcoming tribute concert in Manchester, confirming that a recent “misunderstanding” over the event has now been resolved.
The show, titled ‘Manichester’, is set to take place on May 30 at the Diecast venue, a 5,000-capacity space in Mani’s home city. The concert will celebrate the life and legacy of the influential bassist, who died last November at the age of 63, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the music world.
Organised in association with Madchester.com and fashion label GIOGOI, the event had initially been described as a fundraiser to support Mani’s teenage twin sons, Gene and George. However, controversy emerged in recent days after Gene publicly questioned the legitimacy of the gig in a series of social media posts.
He wrote: “I’m Mani’s kid, everything’s going to my crackhead uncle and not us. The gig’s a lie, and it’s just taking people’s money.”
In a separate post, he added: “nothing’s going to me and my brother”, also suggesting that if it were a legitimate charity event, it would be held at a much larger venue and organised by major promoters.
To clarify, the event has the full blessing of Mani’s family, including his younger brother Greg Mounfield.
The rest is controversy that has nothing to do with yesterday’s news or with the tribute*
— Oasis Mania (@OasisMania) March 30, 2026
The claims quickly sparked concern among fans and raised questions about the purpose of the event. In response, organisers released a new statement on behalf of Mani’s family, aiming to address the situation and reassure the public.
The statement read: “On behalf of the boys, and as their legal guardian, I want to thank everyone for the kind messages and concern for their wellbeing.”
It continued: “There was a misunderstanding regarding the upcoming Manichester tribute concert, but we’re pleased to share that everything has now been resolved.”
The family also took the opportunity to thank those involved in organising the event and supporting Mani’s legacy. “We would also like to express our gratitude to PH. It means a great deal to all of us that so many people loved Mani enough to give their time and energy to honour his memory in this way. We are genuinely touched by the support.”
Reflecting on the difficult period following Mani’s death, the statement added: “It has been an incredibly difficult few years for the boys and for our whole family. We hope this event will bring some much-needed joy and create new, positive memories for everyone who cared about him. With love and thanks, – The Family.”
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The clarification appears to have eased tensions around the concert, with fans and artists alike welcoming the update and continuing to support the tribute.
The event itself is shaping up to be a major celebration of Mani’s impact on British music. Best known for his work with The Stone Roses and later Primal Scream, Mani was widely regarded as one of the defining bassists of his generation, helping to shape the sound of the Madchester era with his distinctive, groove-heavy playing style.
A wide range of artists are set to perform at ‘Manichester’, many of whom either worked with Mani or were directly influenced by him. Confirmed acts include Cast, Peter Hook and The Light and The Kowloons, alongside a specially assembled house band featuring musicians closely tied to his career.
Among those taking part are Aziz Ibrahim, Rowetta, Dave McCabe, Zak Starkey, Jon McClure, and drummer Steve White. Further additions to the line-up include Tom Meighan and Tom Hingley, with organisers teasing a mystery “AAA headliner” still to be announced in the week leading up to the show.
The project is being spearheaded by Damon Minchella, who has been instrumental in bringing together the all-star line-up. He previously revealed that the idea for the concert was sparked during a live performance in São Paulo, when he paid tribute to Mani on stage.
“We were playing in São Paulo and I played the bassline to She Bangs the Drums into Bittersweet Symphony. The reaction from 80,000 people was insane — just from that bassline. That’s the power and legacy of Mani..” he said.
Mani’s influence continues to be felt far beyond the stage. Following his death, tributes poured in from across the industry, with many highlighting his role in defining a generation of British guitar music.
His basslines on tracks like She Bangs The Drums, Made Of Stone and Fools Gold remain some of the most recognisable of the era.
Outside of music, his legacy has also been honoured closer to home. A crowdfunder is currently underway to create a permanent mural in Failsworth, the north Manchester suburb where he grew up, while Manchester United paid tribute earlier this year with players wearing jackets bearing the message ‘Mani 1962–2025’ ahead of a match against Arsenal.
With the family now confirming that issues surrounding the tribute concert have been addressed, attention is likely to return to what the event is ultimately about — celebrating the life, music and enduring influence of one of Manchester’s most beloved musicians.
