Madness Announces First US Tour Since 2012
British ska band Madness makes their much-awaited return to the United States with a five-city tour. Seattle, Oakland, Las Vegas, Boston, and New York will be the lucky cities that are on the Madness C’est La Vie In America tour. This is the first time Madness has played in America since 2012.
Madness frontman Graham “Suggs” McPherson fondly reminiscences about the first time Madness toured the States.
“I remember the first time we were in the USA, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, The Mud Club, ABC City,” said Suggs. “I remember Jelly Bean Benetiz, Madonna, Beastie Boys, Run DC, Link Ray. I remember California, Fishbone, BossTones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Whisky Gogo, The Dead Kennedys. America was everything we hoped it would be, we were small fish, and we still are, and we can’t wait to be swimming in those waters again!”
The tour promotes the new Madness album Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est la Vie. The album is a major milestone for the band. Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est la Vie is the #1 album in the UK charts. While previously releasing chart-topping singles and two #1 greatest hits albums, Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est la Vie is Madness’s first #1 studio album.
The band has said that Theatre Of the Absurd Presents C’Est La Vie, was written and recorded under the guiding principle of “let Madness be Madness.” The songs on the new album feature many of the hallmarks that have made Madness one of the more popular acts to come out of the two-tone ska revival.
Individual members contributed their unique style to the tracklist. The band's command of catchy, pop melodies is in full effect on songs like “Round We Go,” written by Daniel “Woody” Woodgate, and “Run For Your Life” written by Chrissy-Boy. The band’s fascination with gritty street life and crime continues with two tracks from Lee “Kix” Thompson, “The Law According To Dr Kippah” and “Baby Burglar.” Barso also contributes a song about crime with “Beginner’s 101,” which is a story about a heist inspired by classic Hollywood dramas like The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Suggs proves he can still compose excellent music with his songs “Theatre Of The Absurd” and “In My Street.”
Theatre Of the Absurd Presents C’Est La Vie features Emmy and BAFTA Awards-winning Martin Freeman. The actor, a longtime fan of Madness, provides spoken word on the album.
Fans can get Theatre Of the Absurd Presents C’Est La Vie in a variety of formats. The album is available on double vinyl, CD and streaming. A limited edition crystal-clear vinyl is available in HMV and indie stores. The Madness official website offers exclusive cassette and merchandise bundles.
