Legendary British ska icons Madness have played a spectacular set at Glastonbury, marking their long awaited return to the festival.
Formed in the late 70s, Madness took ska and gave it a cheeky twist. In love with the sounds of Jamaica, the band were inspired by punk and soon gathered a rabid following. Releasing their debut single through Two Tone, the band soon came to dominate the charts.
Scoring hit after hit, Madness were the most successful act on the British singles chart throughout the 80s. Gaining a massive fan base, the nutty boys blended ska infected pop with lyrics that spoke of everyday life.
The band last performed at Glastonbury in 1986. Since that time the Berlin Wall has fallen, Apartheid has ended and The Specials have reformed meaning that the group were overdue a return visit.
Madness played a secret show in Glastonbury’s now dis-continued Lost Vagueness area back in 2007, but this time were given an official place on the bill.
Playing a series of classic hits, the group also unveiled a clutch of tracks from their recently released album ‘The Liberty Of Norton Folgate’ as well as covering Max Romeo’s reggae classic ‘I Chase The Devil’.
Madness ended their set with a run through of some of their biggest hits, sending the crowd assembled around the Pyramid Stage into overdrive. Beginning with their number one hit ‘House Of Fun’ the band played a series of skanking hits.
Well known for their inventive videos, Madness saxophone player Lee Thompson was hung aloft during ‘Baggy Trousers’ recreating his role in the original promo. However the crowd held back their biggest reception for the 1981 classic ‘It Must Be Love’ which sparked a huge singalong.
Madness played:
‘One Step Beyond’
‘Embarrassment’
‘The Prince’
‘NW5’
‘My Girl’
‘Dust Devil’
‘The Sun And The Rain’
‘I Chase The Devil’
‘Clerkenwell Polka’
‘Bed And Breakfast Man’
‘Shut Up’
‘Forever Young’
‘House Of Fun’
‘Wings Of A Dove’
‘Baggy Trousers’
‘Our House’
‘It Must Be Love’
‘Madness’
‘Night Boat To Cairo’
