Save Ferris and Madness was at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California on Thursday, May 23, 2024 . Save Ferris was the first band of the night. Named after the lead character from the movie Ferris Buellers Day Off, they have set the Ska pace in the world since the 90’s. Apologizing to the audience below 16 and above 70 for the language, Monique rocked out through their songs like a woman possessed. Opening with “Light’s Out” the pace was set for the night. They continued with “The World Is New” and “Do I Even Like You?” off their 1997 release It Means Everything which was insanely popular. “I Know” had a sing-along with the crowd and a snippet of the Isley Brothers “Shout” that was a huge hit. Finishing off was Dexys Midnight Runners “Come on Eileen” which was an excellent song to finish with this set. Everyone in the audience knew all the words and was singing along with the band like it was meant to be.
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Monique Powell – Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Justin Linn – Guitars, Vocals
Alex Csillag – Trombone and Keyboards
Tristan Hurd – Trumpet
Jamie Howell – Drums
Jake Courlang – Bass
Setlist:
1). Lights Out
2). New Sound
3). The World Is New
4). Everything I Want to Be
5). Do I Even Like You?
6). Goodbye
7). Sorry My Friend
8). Superspy
9). What You See Is What You Get
10). I Know (with snippet of The Isley Brothers’ “Shout”)
11). Come on Eileen (Dexys Midnight Runners cover)
Madness hit the stage to the Star Wars Theme song by John Williams. From there it was “One Step Beyond”, the crowd went nuts and that was just the start. Rolling through “Embarrassment” and “The Prince” the fans were into it from the start and Madness knew it. From there they hit “NW5” and “My Girl” which were huge hits back in the late 70s and early 80s. They played the hit the first song, “C’est la vie” off their current album Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie. This song was a sign that despite the age of the band, they can come up with new songs that are just as amazing as the old ones. Another new one was yet to come but, before that, they threw in a couple of old songs “Shut Up” and “Girl Why Don’t You” which is a Prince Buster song. Then it was back into a new one “If I Go Mad”, and was amazing with its feel and presence.
With those songs down. you would think, what’s left? Well, “Bed and Breakfast Man”, “Wing of a Dove” and “Mr. Apples” kept the audience more than entertained. One of the highlights of the set was Chris Foreman playing an AC/DC “Highway To Hell” solo. So awesome! Then they headed back into the catalog with “House of Fun, “Baggy Trousers” and “Our House” for just fun. Finishing off the set was another cover. This one was from Labi Siffre called “It Must Be Love” and everyone went crazy. After a short break, they came back on the play “Madness” which was my favorite, “Night Boat to Cairo” and Monty Pythons “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”. Just like that, it was over. The audience were both happy and sad. Happy that we got to see them, but sad that it was over. Until next time!
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Chris Foreman – guitar
Mike Barson – keyboards, piano, percussion, backing vocals
Lee Thompson – saxophone, percussion, vocals
Graham “Suggs” McPherson – vocals
Dan Woodgate – drums, percussion
Mark Bedford – bass
Setlist:
1). Star Wars: Main Title (John Williams song) (with sample of the theme from “Thunderbirds”)
2). One Step Beyond (Prince Buster cover)
3). Embarrassment
4). The Prince
5). NW5
6). My Girl
7). Taller Than You Are (Lord Tanamo cover)
8). The Sun and the Rain
9). C’est la vie
10). Shut Up
11). Girl Why Don’t You? (Prince Buster cover)
12). If I Go Mad
13). Bed and Breakfast Man
14). Run for Your Life
15). Chase the Devil (Max Romeo cover)
16). Wings of a Dove
17). Mr. Apples
18). Highway to Hell (AC/DC cover) (Chris Foreman on vocals, with instrumental backing track)
19). House of Fun
20). Baggy Trousers
21). Our House
21). It Must Be Love (Labi Siffre cover)
Encore:
22). Madness (Prince Buster cover)
23). Night Boat to Cairo
24). Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (Monty Python song)
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Photographer of about 10 years, I have been shooting concerts for about 8 of those years. I started to get serious about concert photography about 6 or 7 years ago and now try to shoot as many as I can. I shoot mostly rock but, have done some country and big band stuff. I love music and since I am nowhere close to being a musician, this is a way I can be a small part of what, in the words of Henry Rollins, “gets me through the highs, the lows and everything in between”.
