British music royalty Madness brought sunshine and energy to Southampton as the latest act to appear in the city as part of the Summer Sessions . The ska and pop band entered the stage on Sunday evening (June 16) overlooking Guildhall Square to the Thunderbirds theme tune, in front of a packed audience crammed outside the guildhall. Lead singer of Madness, Graham McPherson – better known by his stage name ‘Suggs’ – immediately sent the enthusiastic audience into delirium by kicking off the 90-minute gig with One Step Beyond.
People of all ages bounced in tandem as an array of hit tunes followed from the band’s back catalogue, including Baggy Trousers, It Must Be Love, and House of Fun. The Ivor Novello Award winners also performed new songs from their latest number one album – Theatre of The Absurd Presents C’est la Vie – whilst ensuring they also had time for other memorable tunes, Wings of a Dove, and Our House. @MadnessNews arriving on stage for last night's gig at Southampton Summer Sessions.
@dailyecho pic.twitter.com/1p4ePF90KN — Matt Davey (@MattDaveyJourno) June 17, 2024 READ MORE: Sir Tom Jones opens Southampton Summer Sessions festival An excitable ‘Suggs’ was also happy to engage with his captive audience – at one point exclaiming: “Where are we? We’re not in Northampton, we’re not in Easthampton, we’re not in Westhampton.
.. we’re in Southampton.
” The head bopping setlist was accompanied by an ever-changing big screen to the rear.