Madness Squeeze Out The Hits In Leeds.

Experiencing Squeeze as a support act is not generally the normal way to see the band; the group had a succession of chart hits during the late seventies and early eighties and continues to record and tour, with a new album coming out in 2026.

The idea of them supporting Madness on their current tour is an unusual one. Whilst Madness were wearing their Baggy Trousers, Squeeze were already Cool for Cats and had been a regular chart fixture. Although both acts derive from the same era, their music is as different as chalk and cheese.

Looking like they had just stepped out of the tailor's shop, the immaculately dressed band's attire suited their hour-long set at Leeds Arena. While relegated to what was basically a supporting role, as opposed to a co-headline one, the band impressed any doubters with a set that was designed to entertain and impress.

The task was made easier with an array of pop nuggets in the shape of Black Coffee in Bed, Up the Junction and, of course, Cool for Cats. As they wound up with Take Me I’m Yours, these cool cats had definitely got the cream.

Madness was one of the pioneers of ska music during the Two Tone music scene's boom. While their peers, such as The Specials, were seen as a more serious proposition in terms of lyrical observation and political clout, Madness was always a more jovial alternative with their brand of ska and reggae, which touched on, at times, the old music hall tradition of humorous and interactive songs.

The band have recently released another Best of album, Hit Parade, which forms the basis of their current tour. The twenty-three-song setlist was packed with pop classics. Add to that a Friday night in Leeds in front of a rowdy audience, and it was one that could not fail.

While their overall performance was a triumph, there was always the fact that lead singer Suggs’ (Graham McPherson) voice was a lot thinner on certain tracks than forty years ago, which is probably why saxophonist Lee Thompson now shares more vocals in a backup role than he used to.

One Step Beyond opened up the set, now sounding like it was dragging its feet, being performed slightly slower than in the past. The party thankfully got started with The Prince, sounding as regal as ever.

Suggs’ voice may not be able to reach the top end of the vocals and be thinner than back in the day on certain tracks, though My Girl was still magnificent. Mike Barson, the band's keyboardist and main songwriter, introduced the song, explaining that it was inspired by his time working at a banana company where his boss was always talking about his girlfriend!

More recent numbers, like Mr Apples, showcased that the band have not lost their pop prowess, though the highlights of the evening came when Suggs announced, “This is the bit of the show we like to call showtime,” as House of Fun, Baggy Trousers, Our House and It Must Be Love followed in quick succession.

Madness do not have their own Christmas song: the idea to cover the Wizzard classic I Wish I Could Be Christmas Everyday in a ska guise might have seemed like a good idea at the time. Ending up sounding lifeless and devoid of any joy, maybe it might have been better to leave the idea alone.

Thankfully things got back on track with Night Boat to Cairo, where the magic of Madness shone brightly, ending a night where the band held the ropes tight on a boat that seemed unsinkable.