MADNESS/THE LIGHTNING SEEDS
LONDON 02 ARENA
The Lightning Seeds prepare a huge oven-ready throng of fez-doffing party people with a welcome best-of set, and as it proves, it’s the only one of the night. The sublime ‘Sense’, ‘Pure’ and ‘Life Of Riley’ are all eclipsed by the strangely comforting footie anthem ‘Three Lions’.
On the back of a Number One album, Madness projects a new sense of vigour and purpose, and while they give the inebriated/celebratory crowd every fave they desire, a sensible percentage of the night’s set is taken from ‘C’est La Vie’. Like the album, tonight’s entertainment is divided into three acts, with the opening duo of ‘Theatre Of The Absurd’ and ‘The Prince’ perfectly setting the night’s past and present timeline. New material by a heritage act such as Madness can cause mass sighs, loo and beer runs, and while some certainly take the opportunity to be fleeced by the nine-pound-a-pint concessionary cleaners, it’s the latest cuts which had me utterly transfixed (and the brilliant use of five video screens complimented each tune rather than cause a visual distraction).
‘Beginners 101’ and ‘Hour Of Need’ stand easily alongside ‘NW5’ and an emotive ‘My Girl’. Suggs is possibly our greatest (understated) front-of-house ringmaster, and tonight he leads the line beautifully. The story behind a stunning ‘Embarrassment’ is followed by ‘Grey Day’ and the made-for-the-West End stage ditty ‘Run For Your Life’. Wheels are removed for ‘Bed And Breakfast Man’, and ‘Wings of Dove’ plus, (armed with a Stiff Records shout-out), ‘One Step Beyond’. The biggies then gush from the stage like a tsunami of angel delight as ‘House Of Fun’, ‘Baggy Trousers’ and ‘Our House’ get the vast arena on their collective dancing feet. A cover of The Specials ‘Friday Night, Saturday Morning’ is lovingly dedicated to “a mate of ours” before the grand finale of ‘Madness’ and, (of course) the obligatory ‘Night Boat To Cairo’ round off another wonderful evening with that evergreen gang of ‘erberts from North London.
For a full list of 2024 Madness tour dates, head over to
https://www.madness.co.uk/