Madness/Man Like Me

Bournemouth International Centre

It’s a cold Winter evening but the Nutty Boys are in town to warm us up.

Support act Man Like Me take to the stage in unusual fashion-first the band come on one by one, then the singer on board the shoulders of another band member. Its novel and it holds our attention. They play a weird type of ska influenced music with all the elements one would expect. Just a shame that such an energetic singer is not afforded a bigger stage area. To this reviewer it’s novelty ska and not for me, however they warm this crowd up nicely for the main event.

And so to the headliners. The venue is now virtually packed as Madness take to the stage. After the intro music they get straight down to business with “One Step Beyond”. The ‘moshers’ waste no time in taking their first steps. I have to admit to being a Madness “virgin” so provided I hear the singles they made their career with I’m happy! “Embarrassment” soon follows before early set highlight “The Prince”. This crowd are really lapping it up now. Madness are primarily on tour to plug their new LP “Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da” and after a good singalong to “My Girl” we get a first taste of “My Girl 2”. While there’s hints of riffs from other songs on it the song doesn’t disappoint. Suggs takes time to comment on “what a pretty front row of ladies” there are here tonight while advising the moshers to be careful not to crush them!

Madness 1–2–3–4

Chas is also patrolling the stage tonight with energy, grinning from ear to ear. One has to admire how this band can still create a show as this some 30+ years on,the dynamic is great and it seems timeless. “The Sun and The Rain” and “Grey Day” seem to sum up the current weather predicament and go down well, before the anthemic singalong “Wings of a Dove”. The classics keep on coming although “Michael Caine” is a tad disappointing. Comedy returns midset with Chrissy Boy taking on a solo version of “Tainted Love” – it works for me and the audience see the funny side. After a couple more new songs and the band in full swing it’s back to the classic footstompers! “House of Fun” is followed by the simply excellent “Baggy Trousers”, but set highlight “It Must Be Love” gets the whole room singing. They end on a high note with “Madness” then “Night Boat to Cairo”. Put simply this has been a night of fun and nostalgia that leaves us with a big grin and the promise of a return visit. Madness leave the stage to great applause knowing they’ll be back to do it all again sometime.

Set List
Intro
One Step Beyond
Embarassment
The Prince
Lovestruck
My Girl
Mt Girl 2
Bed & Breakfast Man
The Sun & The Rain
How Can I Tell You
Grey Day
Wings Of A Dove
Nevr Knew Your Name
Shut Up
Misery
Michael Caine
Kitchen Floor
Tainted Love(Chrissy Boy Karaoke)
House Of Fun
Baggy Trousers
Our House
It Must Be Love
Death Of A Rude Boy
Madness
Night Boat To Cairo