There’s a certain optimism required to attend an outdoor concert in Yorkshire. Standing in The Piece Hall on Saturday evening, watching dark clouds empty themselves over Halifax with impressive determination, it felt like that optimism was being thoroughly tested.
Thankfully, Madness were in town.
The evening began with The Beat, who had the difficult task of warming up a crowd that was already busy calculating how long it would take for their socks to dry. Any concerns quickly disappeared as the ska veterans delivered a set full of energy and rhythm. The standout moment came when Ranking Jnr paid tribute to his father, the late Ranking Roger. It was a genuinely moving moment amidst the bouncing basslines and upbeat grooves, and a reminder of the rich musical legacy behind the band.
Holly Cook followed, bringing enough reggae sunshine to briefly convince everyone they were somewhere in the Caribbean rather than stood in a rainstorm off the M62. Her smooth vocals and laid-back grooves floated effortlessly around the courtyard, offering a welcome moment of calm before the madness — quite literally — that was about to unfold.
By the time Madness appeared, the rain had reached the point where it no longer felt worth mentioning. Everyone was soaked. The band were soaked. The security staff were soaked. At some stage, acceptance had set in.
Fortunately, Madness remain one of the few bands capable of making several thousand drenched people feel like they’re having the best night of their lives.
Suggs stalked the stage with the confidence of a man who has spent decades perfecting the art of charming a crowd. Part frontman, part comedian, part national treasure, he delivered every song with a wink and a grin, while the rest of the band sounded as tight as ever.
The hits arrived with remarkable efficiency. “Embarrassment”, “House of Fun”, “Baggy Trousers”, “Our House” and “One Step Beyond” landed one after another, each greeted like a long-lost mate turning up unexpectedly at the pub. The crowd responded accordingly, singing every word while attempting dance moves that became increasingly ambitious as the evening progressed.
There was something wonderfully absurd about watching thousands of people skanking in torrential rain beneath the ancient stone walls of The Piece Hall. Had a confused tourist wandered in halfway through, they’d have assumed Yorkshire had developed some sort of weather-based religious festival.
The night’s emotional peak came during “It Must Be Love”, with the audience taking over vocal duties while the rain continued its relentless assault. It was one of those moments that perfectly sums up live music: a song you’ve heard hundreds of times somehow sounding brand new when shared with thousands of strangers.
Then came “Night Boat to Cairo”, and any lingering dignity left in the crowd disappeared completely. Fezzes bounced, drinks flew, people danced with complete abandon and for a few glorious minutes Halifax felt like the happiest place in Britain.
By the end, nobody looked comfortable. Everyone looked delighted.
Madness have spent more than four decades proving that fun should never go out of fashion. On a night when the weather did its very best to spoil proceedings, they delivered a masterclass in collective escapism.
The rain won the battle. Madness won everything else.
Photos and Words by Jonathan Cohen
