Mad for Madness
by Deano on 20/07/2024Cardiff Castle - CardiffHell of a show wouldn't expect anything less from these legends all the classics tip top đ
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About
Nutty ska-revivalists and 80s pop titans led by the inimitable Suggs
Madness may have been at the forefront of the late â70s ska revival, but the band quickly moved beyond the constraints of two-tone. By the time the â80s were in full swing, their embrace of everything from Motown to pure pop had made them one of the biggest British bands of their time.
Madnessâs earliest days were as ska band The Invaders, formed in 1976 by Lee Thompson, Mike Barson and Chris Foreman. With the addition of Graham McPherson (aka Suggs), Mark Bedford, Dan Woodgate and Chas Smith, the band changed their name to Morris And The Minors before finally settling on Madness in 1978.
The newly renamed band owed a debt to Prince Buster for their first two singles. Their debut The Prince was a tribute to the Jamaican ska pioneer, while their second, the No.7 hit 'One Step Beyond', was a cover of one of his songs.
Madnessâs first hit lent its name to their debut album too. One Step Beyond came out in late 1979 and proved hugely successful. 'My Girl' gave them another hit single, the second in a remarkable run of Top Ten singles that saw Madness become one of the biggest bands in the country.
The â80s progressed at an impressive clip for the band, landing more hit singles and two albums in the top five, Absolutely and Seven. They bagged their first UK No.1 single in 1982 with 'House Of Fun'.
By the time Madness returned with The Rise And Fall in 1982, their music bore little resemblance to their ska origins. 'Our House' and 'It Must Be Love' were as purely pop as the band could get and the songs worked their way up the charts accordingly.
Mike Barson, one of Madnessâs main songwriters, departed the band in 1983, marking a slow decline for the band. By 1986, they announced they were calling it a day and bowed out with Waiting For The Ghost Train in November of that year.
After a year and a half absence, Madness reunited (with a The added to the name) with a new line-up that featured Suggs, Smash, Foreman and Thompson alongside two Specials and one Attraction. The Madness released one single and one album â 1988âs The Madness â before splitting up again.
The original Madness eventually resurfaced in 1992 with a huge one-dayer in Finsbury Park called Madstock. The event became an annual reunion show for the band over the next four years. In 1995, Suggs stepped out on his own with a solo album The Lone Ranger and a hit single with his cover of Simon & Garfunkelâs 'Cecelia'.
Despite the regular reunions, Madness didnât manage new material until 1999âs Wonderful, folloed by 2005âs Dangermen Sessions Vol.1 and 2009âs The Liberty Of Norton Folgate. The bandâs national treasure status was ratified in 2012 when they performed for both the Queenâs Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games closing ceremony. Those performances coincided with their 11th album Oui Oui, Si Si, Ja Ja, Da Da. The band returned in 2016 with their 12th studio album Canât Touch Us Now.
Following an AMC series documenting the bandâs early years, Madness announced a return to the road in 2021.
In summer 2024 Madness play a string of outdoor shows across the UK, including Lincoln Castle, Dreamland Margate and Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.
Madness perform at Colchester Castle Summer Series and Margate Summer Series in August 2025.
News
The 11 best Madness songs
Why have a top 10 when you can have one more? Here are the 11 best songs by Madness, ranked
Rating: 5 out of 5 Rating: 4 out of 5 Fabulous but late start
by Helen on 20/07/2024Cardiff Castle - CardiffAll the old madness classics. Support didn't start until 7.45 when they encourage you to arrive at 5pm. Food stalls good. Bar well run. Exit was rammed. If the announcement about the other exits had been made once the concert had just finished we would have gone to another one.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Brilliant
by Duncan on 20/07/2024Cardiff Castle - CardiffWeather Brill Madness and Hoosiers Brill Venue Brill
Rating: 4 out of 5 Awesome
by Del on 20/07/2024Cardiff Castle - CardiffGreat venue , great set by Madness really enjoyed the night!!.Walk right around to rear entrance was the only negative.Inside wasn't too packed,drinks served swiftly and toilets easily accessed!!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Festival vibes
by Madness on 20/07/2024Cardiff Castle - CardiffGreat venue with plenty of loos, great food and reasonably priced drinks. Excellent atmosphere and well organised event. Great sound fir outdoor venue. Madness and The Hoosiers were fab!!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Brilliance
by Martyn on 20/07/2024Cardiff Castle - CardiffThe evening was great from the support act to sugs and the complete madness experience, seen them loads of times and was great to see them in the home land. Look forward to future gigs
Rating: 5 out of 5 One step beyond awesome
by ThaMadProf on 20/07/2024Cardiff Castle - CardiffGreat venue. Great music. Great atmosphere. Great crowd. Truly a brilliant night. Cardiff castle is awesome for any gig.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Favourite gig ever
by Harriet on 20/07/2024Cardiff Castle - CardiffIncredible venue, smaller crowd but immaculate vibes
Rating: 5 out of 5 Madness were excellent. Staff at event were amazing.
by Babymanic on 20/07/2024Cardiff Castle - CardiffMadness were fantastic. Cardiff Castle is an excellent location for a gig. I am disabled so was seated on the accessibility platform. All the staff were fantastic especially Dan and Kim. Was a shame to see some fans appalling behaviour towards staff.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Madness at Cardiff Castle
by GRUGWYN on 20/07/2024Cardiff Castle - CardiffEverything was brilliant. The information of updates leading up to the event was great and fantastic advice in placing tickets in my wallet. The show was amazing. Staff were great. Fantastic weather and fantastic atmosphere and music đľ of course . 10 out of 10.
Rating: 5 out of 5 FANTASTIC!
by Alex on 20/07/2024Cardiff Castle - CardiffMadness never fail to deliver! Enjoy it now as I did all those years ago as a youngster.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Awesome
by Peter on 20/07/2024Cardiff Castle - CardiffExcellent Madness concert performance, good music set, great atmosphere, in a unique venue of Cardiff castle during nice weather.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Great show but bad pricing
by Chris843 on 16/07/2024Derby Summer Sessions - DerbyWe upgraded to VIP package but was a waste of money as there was nothing VIP about it. Poor view and anyone was able to move around the areas freely. We moved to where the bulk of the crowd were and had a fantastic view. Great show and brilliant atmosphere. Will not upgrade again
Rating: 5 out of 5 Open air Madness, nothing better
by Madnas on 15/07/2024Scarborough Open Air Theatre - ScarboroughAbsolutely brilliant set, from start to finish, the boys were, as usual, fantastic.... If you have not seen them live, especially outdoors, do it, you won't regret it.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Open air Madness, nothing better
by Madnas on 15/07/2024Scarborough Open Air Theatre - ScarboroughAbsolutely brilliant set, from start to finish, the boys were, as usual, fantastic.... If you have not seen them live, especially outdoors, do it, you won't regret it.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Open air Madness, nothing better
by Madnas on 15/07/2024Scarborough Open Air Theatre - ScarboroughAbsolutely brilliant set, from start to finish, the boys were, as usual, fantastic.... If you have not seen them live, especially outdoors, do it, you won't regret it.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Madness at Derby
by Mike on 15/07/2024Derby Summer Sessions - DerbyWhat a brilliant day and madness to end the show was brilliant. Amazing performance would strongly recommend to others to attend future events
Rating: 4 out of 5 Great day
by MummyS on 15/07/2024Derby Summer Sessions - DerbyThe Sunday session at Derby summer sessions was great. Well organised, good communication beforehand and a great atmosphere. Madness were good but Rick Astley and the Lightning Seeds were better and Rick should have topped the bill. Chairs should have been allowed as it was a long day with VERY limited seating and once people were on a table they hogged it all day. Definitely recommend the summer sessions but improvements can be made to turn it into a perfect day.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Good brilliant football â˝
by Diane on 15/07/2024Derby Summer Sessions - DerbyGreat night next time will book seating. They rearranged start times because of Euro football final just brilliant. Well organised felt everything had been done so we all could enjoy the show.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Nostalgic memories
by Winnie on 15/07/2024Derby Summer Sessions - DerbyThis was a truly brilliant nostalgic experience, complete with lots of new songs off there number one album. Thank you for a brilliant afternoon.