14th December Madness

Madness. Quintessentially British. Quintessentially London. In the way The Kinks, Blur and even Lilly Allen describe life in the UK. The music  is for the home audience... something we can relate to. A snap shot of British society. Madness had various number ones and chart toppers..and then hung up their pork pie hats.

2007 Has seen them come out of retirement like many other bands. So it was with some intrepidation that I went to see them. They were a band on my list of I wish I had seen them before they quit. Would they live up to the expectations I had... would they be as good as in their hay day.

The warm up band were dull; dull as grey wallpaper. Some kind of rock/ska crossover.... totally unmemorable.

But the there was Madness..... One step beyond.... all my expectations. The last night of their tour. Full throttle and every bit as good as I had hoped for... all the classics..... the whole 20000 audience on their feet and dancing, singing and having the best time just before Christmas...

Welcome back Madness I cant wait to see you again