Madness to headline big Hogmanay party

Published on Saturday 3 October 2009 19:43

MADNESS, the classic 1980s ska band who have enjoyed a startling revival this year with an album acclaimed by some critics as their greatest to date, are set to headline Edinburgh's Hogmanay.

It will be their first appearance in the Scottish capital in 15 years and will be the climax of a UK tour for their 2009 disc Liberty of Norton Folgate.

Fans can expect a nostalgia trip – with former hits such as One Step Beyond, It Must Be Love and House of Fun – as well as new tracks such as Dust Devil and Forever Young.

Trumpeter, vocalist, and songwriter Carl Smyth, aka Chas Smash – who launches their live shows with the classic line "Hey you! Don't watch that, watch this!" – said pop fans might be turning to the band's upbeat sound for comfort in a recession.

"We came about in a recession, with Maggie (Thatcher] in 1979.

"We reformed around a recession, 1991-92, and we are having it again in a recession," he said.

"People want nurturing and comforting in a recession, they want things they are familiar with.

"We are a great British institution now."

Smyth turned 50 this year, with an eldest son who is 23, and several others in the seven-man band have children of their own, who provide valuable feedback, he said.

"Entertaining is what we do. Madness is a good live act, and we've got some good songs. It's as simple as that."

Previous headliners at Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations, which draw a global audience, include Blondie, Groove Armada, Kasabian and KT Tunstall.

Veteran Hogmanay director Pete Irvine said: "Madness are the perfect party band and we are delighted they have agreed to headline our annual music and firework spectacular."

Tickets for the Concert in the Gardens, where Madness will lead the bill from 9pm through to 1am, the Hogmanay Street Party, and the open-air ceilidh, newly named the Keilidh, all go on sale on 10 October.

Street Party tickets are 10 across the board. The Concert in the Gardens are priced at up to 42.50, as last year, while the Keilidh is 5 cheaper at 30, sponsors say.

The Hogmanay offering this year runs from the Torchlight Procession, an old favourite, to the new Off Kilter dance and music showcase at Edinburgh's Festival Theatre.