Madness go One Step Beyond at Wolverhampton Racecourse - review
It was a real Fez-tival of nuttiness and raucous music at Wolverhampton Racecourse as Madness came to town.
Thousands of people who had enjoyed the afternoon and early evening racing, and some who had just come for the music enjoyed the show - many, including youngsters wearing Moroccan Fez hats and plenty dressed in colourful formal wear, something else which has become a trademark of the London based act.
Madness date back to 1976 and encompassed the late 70s and early 80s two tone ska revival. scoring 15 singles in the UK top ten, many with colourful videos that portray the lighter side of life and always having fun. They have become UK musical icons with an always lively and crazy stage performance often known for the dancing , costumes and stage backdrop as much as the songs
The eight piece band led of course by Suggs proved Wolverhampton wasn't One Step Beyond by starting with that famous anthem and never stopping for 90 minutes except for a brief five minutes when somebody was in difficulty near the front of the stage.
Suggs sprinkled plenty of humour into the set between the songs, making a joke about Johnny Depp before launching straight into My Girl and also made reference to his daughter being with someone from the Black Country and the fact they were about to make him a grandfather.
Ellen Pearce from Wednesfield was at the concert with her husband David and daughter Courtney and said she has seen Madness five times but they were as good as ever.
She said: "We were at the racing earlier as well but the main reason for coming was to see Madness, they are just such a great band live and everybody enjoys their gigs young or old - Suggs sounds as good as ever to me and it is great to see them still performing after all these years."
The band saved two more of many favourites - Our House and It Must be Love - for just before the encore and sent their nostalgia and fun-loving audience home happy.
