British pop National Treasures MADNESS are coming to Swansea, playing Singleton Park on July 21st. Incidentally, CRAIG CHARLES is the brilliant support act.
This will be “the Nutty Boys finally getting back to doing what they do best – uniting the people for a right raucous live bash,” with a stream of hits from a back catalogue that includes Our House, One Step Beyond and Baggy Trousers.
Madness are the soundtrack to so many of our lives and they are still as exciting and entertaining a live act today as they ever were. Next summer in Swansea will be a fantastic night, filled with unbelievable music, and an atmosphere you get from a Madness gig which is second to none.
I do have a little bit of history with the band, so suggesting you grab a ticket is an easy recommendation. I caught them fairly early in their career at the Dominion in London. Years later I was blessed to introduce the guys onto stage at Princess Anne’s home, Gatcombe Park. I have another story where I bumped into Princess Anne (literally) at the end of the gig as she made her way to see the guys in their marquee, but that’s for another time.
The final time I saw them live was at Radio Two’s Festival in a Day in Hyde Park. I can tell you from that first gig, right through to today Madness entertained us every time. The crowd of eager fans love them, and it’s clear the guys love playing live too.
Like all of us, Madness had a tough time through lockdown but they punctuated it with the critically acclaimed docu-series Before We Was on BT TV and most recently their livestreamed show The Get Up!, from the London Palladium.
The Get Up! was a one-time-only global livestream scripted by Charlie Higson, the evening featured two sets of classic Madness songs including Our House, One Step Beyond and Baggy Trousers, Comedy, Mike Barson as HRH Queen Elizabeth II and guest appearances by Paul Weller and Roland Gift. The stream also saw Madness premiere three new songs, Cruelest Comedy, If I Go Mad and Baby Burglar giving fans a tantalising glimpse into the treasure trove of future classics still bursting from the evergreen Nutty Boys.
Throughout their incredible career, Madness have had 10 UK top ten albums, 15 top ten singles and have won a multitude of awards including a prestigious Ivor Novello. They’ve performed on the top of Buckingham Palace as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and set the record for the biggest ever audience for the BBC’s Live New Year’s Eve Broadcast – the most watched TV music event of 2018.
One of our favourite clips features Madness performing the classic song Heatwave, and yes that is Paul Weller joining the guys on stage –HERE.
It’s difficult to pick just one song from such a huge catalogue of hits but Our House is one of those you can’t help but singalong too, it feels like it’s been around forever. The original video for which was filmed in Willesden Junction, North London has been restored from the original 1982 16mm film print; this new 4k version brings this iconic video to life. You can watch the new 4K version HERE.
Madness will finally get back to doing what they do best – uniting us all for a right raucous live bash. And with a live set teeming with hits from their unrivalled back catalogue Swansea is assured of a great night out in the beautiful setting of Singleton park.
The concert is delivered by 3 time UK Live Regional promoter of The Year ORCHARD LIVE who have brought some highly successful shows at the Swansea, Singleton Park including – Catfish & The Bottlemen, Gerry Cinnamon, Jess Glynne, Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics, Paul Weller & Nile Rodgers & CHIC
Connor Cupples of Orchard Live told us……
“It’s great to be coming back to Swansea again, we love putting shows on at Singleton Park and working with the local council team to deliver brilliant nights of music with the hottest acts around for the people of Swansea’’
Swansea Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies added……
“It’s great news that Madness will bring their celebrated brand of music and fun to Singleton Park next summer. The venue has become a go-to location for big-name acts thanks to the efforts of the council and partners.
This gig is another illustration of how Swansea is the place to be for top class events and experiences. Other treats lined up next summer include the Wales Airshow, World Triathlon Para Series and Ironman 70.3 Swansea.”
And if you’re going to have a party then you need a top class support act, and you really don’t get better the CRAIG CHARLES FUNK AND SOUL CLUB. I actually saw Craig supporting Madness once and it was a really phenomenal night.
Craig will be packing his “Trunk of Funk” for an unmissable set packed with his signature Funk’n’Soul stylings, and this is a great way to spend a Friday night.
Craig is an iconic actor, host, broadcaster, and one of our most beloved DJ’s. From Robot Wars to Red Dwarf, Craig has now grounded himself as a Funk & Soul icon after nearly 20 years of broadcasting on BBC 6 Music with a primetime Saturday night show. As of Autumn 2021, Craig has also settled into a mid-afternoon slot on the station which has already proven a massive hit with listeners nationwide.
Craig told us…….
“When BBC6Music asked me to do a Saturday radio show I only had one condition, it has to be a funk & soul show” says Craig, when he was first approached by the station. And so, the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show was born in 2002.
Live every Saturday night since, it features an assortment of classic gems and emerging artists and has seen Craig garner global support as one of the UK’s foremost Funk and Soul commentators, DJ’s and promoters of new music. The show has also become a European benchmark for artists who want to connect directly with their fans.
“Since its inception I have been interested in all varieties of soul and funk music, without imposing any barriers and I am just as enthusiastic about fresh new talent as I am about the classic artists from the golden age of the 60s and 70s”.
It’s going to be quite a party when the ‘Nutty Boys’ and Craig get to Singleton Park in Swansea on Friday 21st July. Tickets, which are £52.50 plus fees, you can get yours HERE.
