Madness @ Ibiza Rocks 2014 - The Review
Not an unusual headline, but this time it wasn't about another crazy night in the West End. Madness were back at Ibiza Rocks where, 2 years ago, they produced probably the best gig of the Summer. A sell-out crowd was expected and the venue was already busy as supporting act, Hollie Cook, took to the stage.
Hollie has a strong musical background (her dad was the drummer for the Sex Pistols) and has collaborated with the likes of Ian Brown, Jamie T and Prince Fatty. She has a laid-back style that fuses reggae and soul into a very pleasing sound. Her hits 'Milk and Honey', 'Walking In The Sand' and 'Body Beat' were well received and the crowd loved her cover of The Whispers 'And The Beat Goes On'. Hollie released a new album in May and, on this showing, it's certainly worth a listen.
Ibiza Rocks resident DJ, Doorly, filled the gap between acts and this, in my opinion, is the weak link at this venue. He started well playing hits from The Specials and other ska bands, but soon drifted into playing EDM tracks which just didn't compliment the feel of the event.
So, with much anticipation in the air, Madness took to the stage and blasted straight into 'Night Boat To Cairo'. The crowd, with a slightly higher average age than normally found in San Antonio, burst into life and didn't stop for the next hour and a bit. 'Embarrassment' followed next with 'The Prince', 'Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da' and 'My Girl 2' closely behind.
'Sun and Rain' was next and led into a brilliant cover of Max Romeo's 'Chase The Devil' which, possibly due to The Prodigy's sampling of it, had the crowd bouncing around. Time for a break for the band and guitarist George Foreman made use of the breather to sing a karaoke version of the Beastie Boys it 'Fight For Your Right... To Party'. A refreshed Suggs returned to follow that with 'Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life'.
After that light interlude it was back to the, well.... Madness. A quartet of their biggest hits came in rapid succession driving the crowd both wild and back to their childhood. 'House Of Fun', 'Baggy Trousers', 'Our House' and 'It Must Be Love' all proved that good tunes do stand the test of time.
So, that was it over... or not, as the case may be. This audience were going nowhere without an encore and the lads duly obliged. 'One Step Beyond' and the self-titled 'Madness' brought the house down and sent the crowd dancing into the night, pork-pie hats, braces and all.
Madness go from strength to strength and long may that continue. Same time next year please!
Review by Sean Conway
Pictures courtesy of Donna Webster
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