madness KICK OFF THIS YEAR’S EDINBURGH CASTLE CONCERTS LINE-UP!

★★★★☆ (4/5)

MADNESS PERFORMING AT EDINBURGH CASTLE
PHOTOCREDIT: STUART WESTWOOD

The Thunderbirds theme tune announced the arrival of Madness to the stage of Edinburgh Castle, a sure sign that the crowds would be treated to a fun-filled evening from these cheeky chappies with their slick suits, bucket hats and that unmistakeable North London banter. The set opened with One Step Beyond with “its heavy, heavy monster sound”, an early hit reminiscent of their late ‘70s ska revival days, with Embarrassment and The Prince following in quick succession.

The C’est la Vie tour of the UK comes on the back of Madness gaining their first ever UK number 1 studio album, Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est la Vie, seeing off Taylor Swift’s 1989 from that top position, as lead singer, Suggs, happily told fans. The band performed the title track C’est la Vie, a song exploring the themes and absurdity of life along with Hour of Need, Run For Your Life and Round We Go from the same album.

Suggs, sporting sunglasses and trademark suit, interjected between songs with humorous wit, suggesting that some of the audience may have inadvertently booked for the Spice Girls Reunion and Madness were not half as tough as them! The music was a good blend of more up to date and older numbers. There was something for everyone in an audience of mixed ages and young and old alike donning red fez hats; the perfect opportunity too to try out their ska dance moves from their younger days or just to join in with the beat.

My Girl, an all-time favourite, and Wings of A Dove and Lovestruck hit a nostalgic note, sounding every bit as good now as they once did. There are tracks along the way such as Bed and Breakfast Man that the band felt should have been a single, but within their long career not far short of 50 years, there have been so many hits. House of Fun, their first UK No 1 single, had the crowd rise to their feet to join in with those infectious dance moves, as did Baggy Trousers and Our House, a real throwback to yesteryear. It Must Be Love, a cover by Madness of the 1971 Labi Siffre hit, raised the energy levels. “It must be love, love, love, nothing more, nothing less, love is the best”, the lyrics of a song that the crowd seemed to know so well and which saw so many couples tenderly embrace.

As Madness left the stage, a lone piper appeared playing Scotland the Brave and Flower of Scotland. This was a nostalgic moment against the impressive setting of Edinburgh Castle and a fantastic lead up to the Encore of the hits Madness and Night Boat to Cairo. As their career has progressed, Madness has moved closer towards conventional pop music than their ska roots, but Suggs, Barso, Kix, Chrissy Boy, Woody and Bedders, with their eclectic style and fun sense of humour, are still drawing in the fans, gaining new ones and leaving a crowd asking for more. On a parting note and what you might expect of Madness, almost all left singing to Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.