MADNESS
LAUNCH ‘HOUR OF NEED AWARD’
FANS CAN NOMINATE SOMEONE THEY’D LIKE TO THANK FOR BEING THERE DURING CHALLENGING TIMES
SUMMER UK & IRELAND TOUR TO HAVE FANCY DRESS THEME ‘THEATRE OF THE ABSURD’
PRIZES FOR MOST ABSURD COSTUMES – TICKETS HERE
‘THEATRE OF THE ABSURD PRESENTS C’EST LA VIE (ENHANCED EDITION)’ OUT 7TH JUNE VIA BMG – PRE-ORDER HERE
One of the UK’s most beloved British bands Madness have today announced a very special ‘Hour of Need Award’, allowing fans to nominate people who they’d like to thank for having been there for them or others during challenging times.
The award, named after their current single, offers an incredible experience including 2 tickets to a Madness 2024 headline show of the winner’s choice, along with travel, accommodation, and an exclusive meet-and-greet with the band. Winners will also receive a Special Edition Bookpack of the album, signed by the band for the person who made the nomination and the person that got nominated. A signed 2xCD version of the album will be sent as a runner up prize.
To enter someone for this golden opportunity, fans are asked to send a short video (One-minute max) explaining who they want to nominate and why. To enter fans can either post on a social network platform of their choice, using the hashtag #HourOfNeedAward. Or email hourofneedaward@gmail.com with a link to the video. The cut off point for entries is Friday 7th June, 9am. Watch Suggs’ entry video here.
*Please be aware that by participating in this competition, applicants consent to having their video shared on social media platforms and with the press if it reaches the final rounds.
Soon to embark on their ‘C’est La Vie’ summer tour, Madness will perform everywhere from racecourses to castles all across the UK and Ireland. The tour will have a ‘Theatre of the Absurd’ fancy dress theme, with photographers present at each show snapping fans in the most outrageous costumes.**
Talking about the theme, the band said “the more absurd the better.” The best ones will win prizes and will be immortalised on an official poster.
The 19-date tour will call at Margate, Southampton, Plymouth, Newcastle, Lincoln, Edinburgh, Lytham Festival, Scarborough, Llangollen, Derby, Cardiff, Englefield Estate, Leeds, Ludlow Castle, Blackheath, Esher, Audley End, Belfast and Galway Airport.
Tickets for the tour are available from Madness.co.uk.
**Guests are asked to please avoid inappropriate or offensive outfits and team kits.
Madness have also announced an expanded version of their first studio UK Official Charts No.1 album. Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie (Enhanced Edition) which is set for release on 7th June 2024 via BMG. Pre-order here. The expanded album features 5 brand new studio tracks: I’d Do Anything (If I Could), No Reason, Hello Sun, Long Goodbye and Culture Vulture, all recorded during their C’est la vie album sessions. Also on the album are 7 live tracks recorded on last year’s C’est La Vie tour: Theatre of the Absurd, C’est La Vie, Hour of Need, Round We Go, Run For Your Life, In My Street and a cover of The Specials’ Friday Night Saturday Morning – a fan favourite on the tour.
Throughout their career, Madness have had one no.1 UK Official Charts album, two no.1 compilation albums, 10 UK top ten albums, 15 top ten singles and have won a multitude of awards including a prestigious Ivor Novello. They’ve performed on the top of Buckingham Palace as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and set the record for the biggest ever audience for the BBC’s Live New Year’s Eve Broadcast – the most watched TV music event of 2018.
HOW TO ENTER:
1. Film a short video (One-minute max) telling us about who you nominate and why?
2. Post it on a social network platform of your choice.
3. Use the hashtag #HourOfNeedAward
4. Email hourofneedaward@gmail.com with a link to your video
*entries should be sent by Friday 7th June – 9am.
‘THEATRE OF THE ABSURD PRESENTS C’EST LA VIE (ENHANCED EDITION)’ FORMATS AVAILABLE:
● Limited edition hardback book 2CD
● Very limited edition vinyl format available exclusively on the official album store (a hardback book vinyl format including 2 CDs, the 5 new studio tracks on a zoetrope vinyl and a flexi disc of a live cover of The Specials Friday Night Saturday Morning.) Will be available here.
TRACK LISTINGS (*Denotes previously unreleased tracks)
CD1
1. Prologue: “Mr Beckett Sir…”
2. Theatre Of The Absurd
3. If I Go Mad
4. Baby Burglar
5. Act One: “Surrounded on all sides..”
6. C’est La Vie
7. What On Earth Is It (You Take Me For?)
8. Hour Of Need
9. Act Two “The damsel in distress..”
10. Round We Go
11. Act Three: “The situation deteriorates..”
12. Lockdown And Frack Off
13. Beginners 101
14. Is There Anybody Out There?
15. The Law According to Dr. Kippah
16. Epilogue: “And so Ladies and Gentlemen..”
17. Run For Your Life
18. Set Me Free (Let Me Be)
19. In My Street
20. Fin.: “Ladies and Gentlemen..”
CD2
1. I’d Do Anything (If I Could)*
2. No Reason*
3. Hello Sun*
4. Long Goodbye*
5. Culture Vulture*
6. Theatre of the Absurd (Live From The C’est La Vie Tour)* 7. C’est La Vie (Live From The C’est La Vie Tour)*
8. Hour of Need (Live From The C’est La Vie Tour)*
9. Round We Go (Live From The C’est La Vie Tour)*
10. Run For Your Life (Live From The C’est La Vie Tour)*
11. In My Street (Live From The C’est La Vie Tour)*
12. Friday Night, Saturday Morning (Live From The C’est La Vie Tour)*
Tour SUMMER UK & IRELAND TOUR DATES/ LOCATIONS
JUNE
14th – Margate, Summer Series
15th – Plymouth, Summer Sessions
16th – Southampton, Summer Sessions
28th – Newcastle, Racecourse
29th – Lincoln Castle
JULY
5th – Edinburgh Castle
6th – Lytham Festival
12th – Scarborough, Open Air Theatre
13th – Llangollen, International Musical Eisteddfod
14th – Derby, Summer Sessions
18th – Cardiff Castle
19th – Englefield Estate
26th – Leeds, Kirkstall Abbey
27th – Ludlow Castle
28th – Blackheath, Uptown Festival
31st – Esher, Sandown Park Racecourse
AUGUST
2nd – Audley End, Essex
9th – Belfast, Custom House Square
10th – Galway Airport, Ireland
FOLLOW MADNESS
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
