Cheerful nostalgia of lockdown Madness

Madness The Get Up!

In the middle of last year’s lockdown misery, Madness delighted the nation by staging a special show “for one night only” at the London Palladium which, of course, was empty.

It wasn’t just a concert, though. It was a unique “streaming experience”, telling the Nutty Boys’ story in a two-act stage show.

Out now in a limited-edition CD/DVD package, the event was scripted by The Fast Show’s Charlie Higson (formerly of indie funk combo The Higsons) who holds it all together as a ghostly narrator.

There are rehearsal scenes, cheery banter, interludes and, of course, many of the North London band’s most endearing and enduring hits performed live. The tale starts in Kentish Town in 1977 where “a bunch of rumbustious hooligans” are trying out now-familiar new songs. They need a vocalist and the auditions begin.

Step forward Roland Gift from Fine Young Cannibals with a slow reggae take on 60s chart-topper Concrete And Clay.

Then Paul Weller takes a tough, passionate stab at Jimmy Cliff’s The Harder They Come. And finally, some chap called Suggs has a crack with The Prince – Madness’s first single. No prizes for guessing who wins.

Act Two is the 13-song live show, including One Step Beyond, House Of Fun (twice), Our House and It Must Be Love, as well as three unreleased numbers.

The confessional Baby Burglar finds Suggs reflecting on misspent youth over a samba rhythm. If I Go Mad is perkier and unsettling.

And if Theatre Of The Absurd is more maudlin, the overall feel is cheerfully nostalgic, steeped in a genuine love of old-school vaudeville and yesteryear’s humour.

The DVD even looks like an Ealing comedy film poster.

Madness remain one of pop’s finest chroniclers of everyday English life. Long may they carry on skanking.