Get a real sense of Madness

From North London to the roof of Buck House, Madness frontman Suggs is sharing his wildest stories with audiences at Maidstone’s Hazlitt Theatre. Join the legendary music star on Tuesday, February 22 and hear captivating tales of his career.

“It’s surreal really, to look back at 12-yearold me compared to everything that’s happened since,” says the singer, now in his 60s.

“Madness, you might say!”

Suggs will be accompanied by his trusty pianist, Deano, for the shows, where he will tell his stories in words and music, with the help of some Madness classics and his own tracks.

The band marked their 40th anniversary three years ago and among their highlights are that Diamond Jubilee show for the Queen at Buckingham Palace, topping the bill at Glastonbury and performing at the London Olympics.

Looking back to 2012 and their iconic set at the closing ceremony, Suggs says: “So there I was on the back of a truck somewhere in the East End.

“In front were The Who, on the right were some spotty herberts called One Direction. On the left, the Pet Shop Boys were riding bicycles with traffic cones on their head. And behind us, the Spice

Girls were doing vocal warm-ups.

“Then our truck pulls off and we’re in a stadium with 70,000 people and two billion watching worldwide.

The bass, the brass, the strings of Our House strike up – and then it’s my turn. And I forget the first line of the song. Fortunately, the crowd were singing the words so I pointed the microphone at them. Bizarre.”

The show will also stop off at Margate’s Theatre Royal on Wednesday, February 23.

Book online or call the Maidstone box office on 01622 758 611 or the Margate box office on 03333 660 661.