On a dark December Friday, the legendary ska band Madness transformed Birmingham's Utilita Arena into a joyous, fez-topped party. Their Hit Parade UK arena tour proved that over four decades since their chart domination, the Nutty Boys from Camden still know how to throw an unforgettable celebration.
A Night of Timeless Ska Anthems
The ten-piece ensemble burst onto the stage with the iconic opening notes of 'One Step Beyond', immediately setting the tone for a night of relentless energy. They swiftly powered through classic tracks like 'Embarrassment' and 'Orange Street', with the crowd skanking along to every beat. Frontman Suggs (Graham McPherson), dressed in a sharp black suit and shades, commanded the stage with the swagger and cheeky banter of a natural-born showman.
A particularly warm moment came from pianist Mike 'Monsieur Barso' Barson, who revealed a personal connection to the West Midlands. "My dad's from Sutton Coldfield," he announced, prompting a huge cheer from the audience. He then shared the amusing backstory of the hit 'My Girl', explaining it was inspired by a former colleague on a banana lorry who constantly talked about his girlfriend. Barson joked that while the friend wronged him by withholding a Christmas bonus, he got the last laugh by stealing the phrase for a timeless song.
Festive Cheer and Crowd Banter
The interaction with the audience was a highlight. Before launching into 'Lovestruck', Suggs offered some characteristically wry advice, using lampposts as a metaphor for navigating home and love. The festive season was embraced wholeheartedly during the encore, which began with a raucous, ska-infused cover of Wizzard's 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday', complete with fake snow and coloured balls bouncing into the crowd. "Peace and love to all humanity, and the mother in law," Suggs quipped.
Squeeze Set the Stage with Improvisational Brilliance
The night was opened in spectacular fashion by support act Squeeze. Renowned for hits like 'Up the Junction' and 'Cool for Cats', the band showcased their phenomenal musicianship and energy. A standout moment was a reinvented, Caribbean-holiday-style version of 'Goodbye Girl', demonstrating their talent for fresh improvisation night after night.
The Madness Hit Parade tour demonstrated why the band remains a beloved live act. They delivered a masterclass in feel-good entertainment, ensuring every person in the arena left with a smile. The band has one final gig with Squeeze at London's O2 Arena on Saturday, December 20. For those who missed it, the tour supports their new greatest hits compilation, also titled 'Hit Parade'.
