Suggs at the Liverpool Echo Arena. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

The curtain draws back at the Echo Arena and suddenly one of the biggest indoor parties opens up before an excited and fervent audience full of passion.  A collective desire to see one of the best bands of their generation perform their new songs and greatest hits for them, it can only mean one thing…that Madness are back in town again.

Riding high with their superb latest release Oui Oui, Si Si, Ya Ya, Da Da; Madness came on stage full of irreverent humour, songs that have resonated over a 33 year period  and with a bundle of enthusiasm. It may have been a while since the men from north London thrilled a Liverpool audience in its actual heart land but there was no doubting the incredible response and amazing noise generated by the crowd all evening.

With fezs galore being worn by the crowd, the party didn’t take long to warm up as Chas Smash introduced in his indomitable style the song One Step Beyond, from there on in, the audience matched them note for note and move for move all evening.

How the men that make up Madness have managed to keep the audience’s attention and support for so long is easy to see as the music that has been made is still intoxicating and enjoyable to bounce along to. Even when the subject matter is considered dark and dangerous for a band to tackle, they still manage to put that little bit of tension busting humour secretly within that makes the tunes just unforgettable.

For those in the audience that grew up with Madness as their band, it was a time to relive distant days of youthful innocence and much loved songs such as Embarrassment, My Girl, Grey Day, Shut Up and Michael Caine, which was given an airing for the first time in 18 years. For the newer members of the fan club, those that grew up listening to the mum’s and dad’s taste there was enough off the new album to keep them dancing along as well with great tracks as My Girl 2, Take It or Leave It and Misery being performed.

The gig finished on a superb high note with songs such as Baggy Trousers, House of Fun, Our House, with accompanying pictures of famous and not so famous houses and buildings of interest in Liverpool, and the excellent It Must Be Love before going into the encores which included Night Boat To Cairo.           

A top-rate night filled with lots of memories as well as the great songs that Madness thrived upon.

Ian D. Hall