Madness - Anyone Downs for some Madness!!!

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Madness go one step beyond to end the summer in style 

Madness **** Bristol Downs has been host to series of concerts at the end of the summer, starting with Massive Attack three years ago, Elbow, Noel Gallagher and Lauren Hill (only the day before this) have all lit up the stage on a Saturday evening. Buoyed by the success of that the organisers have this year added a second day and Madness are the first headliners of the Sunday event. Prior to their arrival on stage the crowd had already been treated to Bjorn Again, The Trojan Sound system and the Rodigan Orchestra who played a wonderful mix of old school ska and reggae.

But Madness was what most of the crowd were here for and at the seemingly early time of 7.30pm they took to the stage to great applause. We think the early time was due to it being a relatively residential area and a Sunday night as opposed to their fans getting on a bit and needing to be in bed. In fact it was far from it, there were fans from all ages present from teenagers through to pensioners, showing the long standing and wide ranging appeal the nutty boys have.

They opened their set with the same song they have for years in ‘One step Beyond’ but what a song to open with, the energy and sound just make you want to “move your feet” which was quickly followed by ‘Embarrassment’. In fact it quickly becomes clear that Madness have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to songs as the hits just kept coming with ‘My Girl’ being a perfect opportunity for the crowd to have a mass sing along.

‘Bullingdon Boys’ was previewed with a bit about the mess the current Bullingdon Boys are currently making in parliament, in fact there was  a few times he dipped into politics but only briefly, with comments on homelessness in particular being a concern. Of course there has always been a slightly political edge with 2-Tone music so it’s not surprising they mention it, without possibly being quite so focussed on it as The Specials for example. Of course 2-Tone was celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, along with Madness themselves, with probably a lot more original members than most touring for that long.

You could tell at times Suggs was in fact quite humbled by the fact that a bunch of teenagers got together and fourty years later were still making music together. Politics and band history aside it was all about hearing the songs ‘Driving in my Car, Wings of a Dove, Baggy Trousers’ and ‘House of Fun' all getting an airing it really was a greatest hit set. I think these are type of hits that have made them so enduring rooted in a Ska sound but with a pop edge that makes them have a wide appeal and easy to listen to; whilst being interesting and with a unique sound you know a Madness song when you hear it.

From a roving saxophonist to Suggs constantly interacting with the crowd it’s clear they still enjoy it too, as were the crowd and the set finally came to a close with a rendition of ‘It must be Love’ withten thousand people joining in every word. The encore was designed to go out with a dance with ‘Madness’ and ‘Night boat to Cairo’ seeing those same ten thousand people skanking away in Clifton. It’s safe to say the Sunday night on the Downs was a success, here’s hoping they do the same with similar success next year. 

Review and Pictures by Jon Cooper

Check Out! the Video for 'One Step Beyond' Below...