Music / Review
Review: Madness, Westonbirt Arboretum – ‘Madness still know how to put on one hell of a show’
When I saw Madness at Glastonbury 2016 I remember texting my dad that I didn’t think they were that good live – I’m so glad to be proven wrong this time around!
Madness came on stage to the furore of fans, most of whom were either dressed in Madness tour t-shirts or were wearing fez’s. Suggs was on top form and I expected nothing less from a front man who has been touring for three decades. The band were incredible, particulary the saxphonist, Lee Thompson, who really took centre stage at times from Suggs.
For some of the songs, the guitarist took the solo meant for the saxophone, the only sign that the group were slightly older than when the songs were first released. However, this didn’t stop the glee of the fans who loved it all the same, as did I. It also meant that the songs everybody knows and loves, such as Our House and It Must Be Love, still had the same isntrumentals as on the singles as Lee saved himself for these.
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Instead of spending a lot of time talking in between songs, Suggs would say a line or two as a segue into the song. At one point, he commented on the Amber Heard/Johnny Depp trial, joking that he had met Depp in a pub in Newcastle where he told Suggs, “my girl’s mad at me”. The crowd went wild after this statement as Madness launched into their song My Girl.
The band were incredible, particulary the saxphonist, Lee Thompson. Credit: Johnny Hathaway
I didn’t realise how many songs I knew and it proved what a back catalogue of work Madness have; the fans kept the momentum going throughout it all, even during the relatively newer songs. Dancing, singing and genuinely having a good time.
Westonbirt is a beautiful location for an outdoor gig; the weather was warm and dry, there were a few food stalls and a bar. There were picnic blankets and camping chairs surrounding the area with people sharing food, popping fizz and opening cans, but as you walked closed to the stage, gig go-ers were stood up waiting for Madness to grace the stage. Parking was free and well organised, not only when you arrived but also when leaving as thousands of people returned to their cars.
We left elated and singing their songs on the way back to the car, the joy of seeing them still pumping through us. One thing’s for sure, Madness still know how to put on one hell of a show.
Main photo: Johnny Hathaway
Read more: Review: Paloma Faith, Westonbirt Arboretum
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