Madstock was 30 years ago today

[Gurke and Hare]

So 30 years ago today I was outside Finsbury Park trying to strike a deal with a tout to trade my Saturday ticket for a Sunday ticket like all my friends had bought.

Here's an oral history of it, featuring everyone's favourite comedy bit part player Paul Putner: http://sevenraggedmen.com/30-years-of-madstock/

[DrGreggles]

Good read that.
I was there on the Saturday - probably the only one of those big outdoor gigs I've ever enjoyed.

The Morrissey stuff was weird, as I'd only just started listening to The Smiths a few months previously.
And my feeling was "oh no, he's a twat" - and I was right!

[Neomod]

We went on the Sunday and only found out Moz wasn't playing when we got there.

Worth it though for The Nutty Boys, the Blockheads and --erm-- Gallon Drunk.

[Beagle 2]

That was a superb read Gurke and Hare.

Never seen Madness, which is a real shitter.

[mrClaypole]

My brother went.  I wasn't allowed to go as I was only 14. I had to wait until Xmas for my first ever gig.
I still routinely listen too the live CD though

[Gurke and Hare]

Worth it though for The Nutty Boys, the Blockheads and --erm-- Gallon Drunk.

I love the way the overwhelming - correct - consensus is that Gallon Drunk killed the mood then Flowered Up got everyone back in the groove.

[Brundle-Fly]

What's interesting is it seemed like the hiatus between the band breaking up and subsequently reforming was much, much longer, but it was only a mere six years. The Specials waited nearly thirty years and the elation at those comeback gigs I believe was no greater than the reception at Madstock. Madness's last studio album was released in 2016, which only seems like last week.

"TIME, gentlemen please time..."

[Brundle-Fly]

I love the way the overwhelming - correct - consensus is that Gallon Drunk killed the mood then Flowered Up got everyone back in the groove.

Originally, Vince Power put The Selector high up on the bill, but the band vetoed their old friends, because they didn't want it to be a ska-festival (and half their old fans knackered by the time Madness came on).

[shiftwork2]

London is dead!

[Pavlov`s Dog`s Dad`s Dead]

That was a superb read Gurke and Hare.

Yes, agreed. It's led me to listen to the album today, and the warmth pouring off the audience is palpable. To my lasting regret, I was into Iron Maiden when Madness were in their pomp, and so I didn't pay the requisite attention at the time. Fucking idiot, I was.

[Brundle-Fly]

Yes, agreed. It's led me to listen to the album today, and the warmth pouring off the audience is palpable. To my lasting regret, I was into Iron Maiden when Madness were in their pomp, and so I didn't pay the requisite attention at the time. Fucking idiot, I was.

Did Maiden's 'Can I Play With Madness?' mean nothing?  Anyway, don't beat yourself up. I wish I'd attended raves and necked E  thirty odd years ago, but you can't go back.  I'd be dead now though, if I had.

[famethrowa]

Here's an oral history of it, featuring everyone's favourite comedy bit part player Paul Putner: http://sevenraggedmen.com/30-years-of-madstock/

Great article! I'm learning here, I always thought "Madstock" was some kind of baggy festival, didn't realise it was a whole revival comeback thing. I remember buying the cassingle in 1992 and wooing the future Mrs Famethrowa with our shared nostalgia. The song seemed like a cherished relic of history, it came with Bed and Breakfast Man and some business about beans and a fried slice that I didn't really latch on to.

[Pavlov`s Dog`s Dad`s Dead]

Did Maiden's 'Can I Play With Madness?' mean nothing?

Arf. Mind you, "Seventh Son..." was the album where I began to part ways from them