GuilFest 2005. The Guildford Music Festival on 15th, 16th and 17th July 2005

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Artist: Madness [1] [2]
Genre: Ska Pop
Performing: 5th July 2003 / Stage 1
Website Address: http://www.madness.co.uk/
Author: Matthew Hargreaves

Standing in the front of the crowd at a Madness concert is a unique and uncertain thing to do. They are undoubtedly a unique part of the rich musical and cultural tapestry of this country for all the right reasons. Having knocked up an enviable tally of hit singles and albums of depth and wonder, Madness have very little left to prove.

The uncertainty about my position within the crowd is just so, within seconds of the band appearing on stage I and my companions had already moved several meters such was the excitement generated by the North London outfit.

The atmosphere was electric as the sun began to set over the thousands of festivalgoers gathering for the ensuing mayhem. The lights of the stalls and fluttering of banners in the distance formed a striking background to what followed. Hey You! Don't Watch that Watch this…Chas Smashed boomed out, as the band launched into their classic opening number One Step Beyond!

From the moment the set opened, Guilford was on its feet dancing to the distinctive sound of the Madness back catalogue. Baggy Trousers, House of Fun, Our House, It Must be Love to name but a few were all aired with real relish.

With the exception of 'Lovestruck' and 'Johnny the Horse' all of the set was a collection of early eighties anthems, this said it's a testament to the quality and endurance of their music that the band continue to be so highly regarded and influential, especially now in the US.

Since reforming the band in 1992, Madness have played numerous sellout stadium gigs throughout the country, however the audience at Guildford was mixed in every way. Certainly Madness brought thousands of followers to the festival, yet many of the crowd I spoke too, had not seen the band since they formed in 1979, or were only familiar with a handful of tunes.

In true style, Madness turned on the power and were accompanied by thousands of backing singers. Speaking to bassist Mark Bedford he told me of his surprise at how well the band had gone down in Bonn, Germany the previous night, as they hadn't played there since the mid 1980's. I was a bit taken a back by this and thought too myself, well you are Madness…

In a strange kind of way I found this reassuring, and encouraging. Madness were and clearly are firmly grounded in the realities of life, which has inspired many of their hits.

People might be surprise to know that both, 'One Better Day' and 'Johnny the Horse' were written about the plight of the homeless, or that the profits from the gospel fuelled 'Wings of a Dove' were donated to Green Peace.

The band performed for an hour and a half and returned for a rousing encore of Night Boat to Cairo. The time passed quickly and all had a splendid time. I use to think that the future of Madness was firmly rooted in the past, now what with the success of their London stage show and continuing appeal I'm not so sure.