The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Madness to play Montrose
SKA LEGENDS Madness are to transform Montrose’s East Links into the House of Fun.
The band, fronted by Suggs, will perform their only Scots date this year in an open-air gig on Sunday, July 5.
The show, being organised by LCC Live and the Montrose Music Festival, is sure to be popular when tickets go on sale on Friday.
MoFest chairman David Paton said: “We’re thrilled to have secured Madness to play in Montrose this summer — its only Scottish date on the Grandslam Tour.
“They are superb live and will give fans an incredible night performing a range of hits from over the decades.
“Last year we welcomed Status Quo to the town and this year, it’s the turn of Madness, who we expect to prove just as popular.
“This once again puts Montrose on the map as a premier live music destination.”
The gig is expected to bring fans from across the UK to Montrose to hear hits such as House of Fun, Baggy Trousers, One Step Beyond, Must Be Love and Our House.
The group, who first entered the music scene in 1979, are performing in Montrose as part of a string of open-air UK dates.
A band statement said: “Come see, come see! The world’s strongest band perform incredible feats live! Marvel as Madness lift an enormous set of polished pop songs high in the air, single handed!
“The UK’s biggest open air tour ever! Rolling into a town near you, soon.”
Three-chord legends Status Quo turned East Links into a forest of air guitars at last year’s MoFest when they performed a greatest hits set.
This year’s announcement of Madness performing in Montrose, albeit as a one-off gig in July, is expected to see a similar rush for tickets and accommodation.
The band was not available on May 22 to headline MoFest but the committee said it could not turn down the offer of a standalone gig in July.
It is understood the committee is still working behind the scenes to confirm the headline act for this year’s MoFest but they are expected to be just as big.
The English ska band from Camden Town officially formed in 1979.
They have had 15 singles reach the UK top 10 and a number one single with House of Fun.
The summer of 2012 saw two notable performances.
In June, the band performed at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace.
Later, inAugust, the band was the first to perform at the closing ceremony of the London Olympic Games.
Tickets for the Montrose event go on sale on Friday at 10am priced from £35 and are available online at www.ticketline.co.uk or by phone on 0844 888 9991.