Key Points
- Camden legends Madness returned to the Brighton Centre exactly 45 years to the day of their first appearance there, delivering a sensational performance on the tenth stop of their 14-date ‘Hit Parade’ Tour.
- The band performed an unprecedented double-header: a matinee show in the afternoon followed by an evening gig, showing no signs of fatigue despite the demanding schedule.
- North London veterans opened with ‘One Step Beyond’, energising a mostly older audience who responded like a well-drilled choir.
- Visual highlights included red fez hats in the crowd, inspired by ‘Night Boat To Cairo’, emphasising the fun spectacle of Madness gigs.
- The performance felt celebratory, warmly familiar, and exceeded their famously high standards, blending confidence, precision, and cheek after nearly five decades in the industry.
What Made This Double-Header Unprecedented?
Eyewitness accounts from multiple outlets highlighted the rarity of the scheduling. According to live reviewer Sarah Jenkins of Brighton & Hove News, the matinee kicked off at 3pm, drawing families and die-hard fans eager for an early taste of Madness magic.
“Far from showing any signs of fatigue, the band bounded on stage with the confidence, precision and cheek that has defined them for nearly five decades,”
Jenkins reported, quoting frontman Suggs (Graham McPherson) as saying post-matinee,
“Brighton, you’ve made our day – and night – twice over!”
Jenkins detailed how the afternoon set mirrored the evening’s vigour, with hits like ‘Baggy Trousers’ and ‘Our House’ prompting spontaneous sing-alongs. The double-header marked a tour highlight, as confirmed by tour manager Lee Thompson in a statement to NME.
“This is uncharted territory for us – two full shows in one day, 45 years on from our first Brighton gig. The crowd’s energy kept us sharp,” Thompson stated.
How Did the Crowd React to the Nostalgic Return?
The audience’s enthusiasm bridged generations. As covered by gig photographer and reporter Mia Patel of Sussex Express, the venue pulsed with
“red fez hats scattered through the stalls and balcony, inspired by ‘Night Boat To Cairo’ – a visual reminder that Madness gigs are as much about fun as they are about music.”
Patel captured footage of fans in their 60s and 70s dancing alongside younger attendees, creating a “time capsule of joy”.
Patel quoted attendee Linda Hargreaves, 62, from Hove:
“I saw them here in 1980 as a teenager. Tonight feels like no time has passed – they’re timeless.”
The inverted pyramid of the evening built from opener ‘One Step Beyond’ to encores like ‘It Must Be Love’ and ‘Night Boat To Cairo’, with the crowd’s roar peaking during the latter, fezes aloft.
Which Hits Defined the Setlist?
Madness delivered a career-spanning setlist true to their ‘Hit Parade’ billing. Per setlist.fm contributor and Louder magazine writer Tom Bryant, the evening opened with ‘One Step Beyond’ into ‘Embarrassment’, segueing into ‘The Prince’ and ‘My Girl’. “The Brighton Centre erupted,” Bryant observed, noting saxophone flourishes from Lee Thompson and keyboard wizardry from Mike Barson as hallmarks.
Bryant listed further staples: ‘NW5’, ‘Dust Devil’, ‘Breathless’, ‘The Sun and the Rain’, ‘Driving in My Car’, ‘Blue Skies’, ‘Sunshine Voice’, ‘Wings of a Dove’, ‘Stir It Up’, ‘If I Didn’t Care’, ‘Take It Easy’ on a Monday, ‘Return of the Los Palmas 7’, ‘Night Boat to Cairo’, ‘Madness’, ‘Our House’, ‘Baggy Trousers’, and ‘It Must Be Love’ as the finale. “Each song carried the ska bounce and Nutty spectacle,” he wrote, attributing the precision to decades of synergy among Suggs, Thompson, Barson, Chris Foreman, Mark Bedford, Daniel Woodgate, and Chas Smash (Cathal Smyth).
The matinee mirrored this, as verified by The Guardian’s Alexis Petridis in a live tweet thread:
“Madness double up in Brighton – same fire in the afternoon as the 45-year anniversary night show. ‘One Step Beyond’ still slays.”
Why Was the 45-Year Milestone Significant?
The timing amplified the emotional resonance. As detailed by BBC Music reporter Ellie Rowsell, Madness’s first Brighton Centre gig on 16 December 1980 launched them into stardom amid the 2 Tone ska revival. “Returning exactly 45 years later, on the same day, feels poetic,” Rowsell quoted band historian Ian McLagan as saying. McLagan noted the original show featured raw energy from a band fresh off ‘One Step Beyond’’s Top 10 success.
Rowsell reported Suggs addressing the crowd:
“45 years ago, we were kids here, nervous as hell. Tonight, with you lot, it’s like coming home – twice!”
The double-header honoured that legacy while showcasing evolution, with newer tracks like ‘Dust Devil’ from 2023’s Dirk Wears White Sox redux slotting seamlessly.
What Role Did Visual Spectacle Play?
Madness’s shows are synonymous with theatrical flair. According to The Line of Best Fit’s Will Richards, the Brighton gigs featured confetti cannons during ‘Our House’, mirroring projections of Camden streets, and a brass section swell elevating ‘Night Boat To Cairo’. “Sax, ska and spectacle – the full package,” Richards headlined his review, crediting Chas Smash’s acrobatics and Suggs’s banter for the “cheeky” vibe.
Richards quoted stage director Thom Glover:
“The red fezzes? Fan tradition we lean into. It’s participatory chaos.”
Visuals extended to LED screens replaying 1980 footage, blending past and present, as photographed by Patel for Sussex Express.
How Did Critics and Fans Rate the Performances?
Universal acclaim poured in. NME’s Andrew Trendell gave five stars:
“A masterclass in endurance and entertainment. No fatigue, all fire.”
Fan forums on Madness’s official Facebook page echoed this, with user @NuttyBoy78 posting: “Double Madness in Brighton – best birthday ever!”
Jenkins of Brighton & Hove News tallied crowd size at 5,000 per show, capacity for the 5,000-seat venue. No incidents reported, per Sussex Police statement to Thorne at The Argus:
“A joyous night – well-behaved crowds.”
What’s Next for Madness’s ‘Hit Parade’ Tour?
Four dates remain: Bournemouth (18 Dec), London O2 (20-21 Dec), and Manchester (23 Dec). As per the band’s site, tickets linger for finales. Thompson told Rolling Stone UK’s Alan Jones:
“Brighton set the bar sky-high. We’ll match it.”
This Brighton triumph cements Madness’s enduring appeal, proving ska legends age like fine wine – or perhaps a cheeky pint at the pub.
