Live Review: Madness

Free Madness magnets in a jar at the bar is a nice touch and we happily help ourselves. We're then treated to demographic-friendly hits such as The Clash's Rock The Casbah before the ska legends from Camden Town hit the stage and there's a lot of double Madness merch - red fez plus T-shirt - on the bods of punters.

The band doesn't exactly come out swinging and it's a bit slow to start. We also have to wait a bit too long before we hear one of the songs they're most known for, but Madness frontman Suggs is absolutely hilarious and we can immediately see why he's also booked for a stand-up show as part of this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival. After remarking on the amount of musical legends that have passed away over the past couple of years — a "tsunami of ghastliness" as Suggs calls it — someone hollers something from the front section. "If you're gonna steal my script, come to the rehearsal!" Suggs jests. Just like his moniker, Suggs is undeniably cool.

We're told the band's outstanding keys player, Mike Barson, is looking to move here. "There's no doubt about it, Melbourne's the place," Barson adds. Good Times ("Where did all the good times go?") speaks volumes to this mostly middle-aged crowd and one gent in particular, who's sporting a lively red suit jacket, captures the essence of Madness with his exuberant skanking. The musicianship on display is absolutely awesome and brass parts truly shine. The One Step Beyond alto sax melody completely destroys us. And from this point on we're treated to a string of hits. We marvel at the genius House Of Fun lyrics ("This is a chemist not a jokers' shop"), Baggy Trousers is an absolute delight and we sing, "Oh what fun we had," with gusto, the phrase echoing our current status. But Our House has gotta be the most fun song to sing along with, ever. Then it's hugs all 'round during It Must Be Love. Suggs concludes the main set in characteristic cheeky form with, "Just tell the rest of them what they missed."

A bagpiper Suggs introduces as "Johnny" plays When The Saints Go Marching In to kick off our encore and then Suggs is back in full joker mode: "Have any of you got any Scottish in you? Would you like some?" Barson's piano playing elevates Mr Apples. There's a sexy stage invader during the band's tribute to late Jamaican singer-songwriter/producer Prince Buster - a cover of the song that inspired their namesake (Madness) - and security just leave her to it. During the band's closer Night Boat To Cairo, we make admiring our red-jacketed dancing king a priority - he really does embody the spirit of Madness.

At their set's conclusion, all penguin-walk out of the venue with broad smiles on dials as Monty Python's Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life plays over the venue sound system. Madness are a class act and their cheeky songs and uplifting melodies are timeless.