Suggs gets ready to go mad at Camp Bestival (From Bournemouth Echo)

Suggs gets ready to go mad at Camp Bestival

2:41pm Friday 30th July 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

I’M taking my mobile phone and notebook with me to the lavatory. I can feel it in my water that today the interview will finally happen.

Having been in daily contact with Suggs’ people for a week now, I’m told ‘you might need to drop everything and get on the phone to him.’ Exactly when the Madness frontman will call remains a mystery. It’s not ideal and I get the inkling he’s not particularly fond of self-promotion and publicity.

But then why should he worry when his band headlines sold-out music festivals like Camp Bestival in Lulworth this weekend. As I ponder this, the phone suddenly rings and thankfully I’m not answering a call of nature.

In between audible mouthfuls of a late-lunch, the original nutty boy is ready to play the game.

“Festivals are a lot of fun and they’ve changed a lot since we first started. That was 30 years ago in the Stone Age of festivals and basic facilities were very few and far between,” Suggs muses.

Being one of the most successful bands of all time, Madness have an embarrassment of riches such as 80s chart toppers Baggy Trousers, It Must Be Love, House of Fun, Driving In My Car and Our House.

“From a playing perspective we always enjoyed festivals, because we get to play to an audience who wouldn’t necessarily have come to see us and it’s more of a challenge,” says Suggs, 49.

Madness rose to prominence in the late-70s ska revival, a scene that is still close to the musical heart of Suggs.

“The Two Tone scene hasn’t ever gone away and the music is very popular wherever you go. So I’m looking forward to seeing Lee Perry [reggae legend] at Camp Bestival.”

Last year the band recorded their first original album in nine years — The Liberty of Norton Folgate. Like many bands that have massive success, Madness struggled to cope with the touring and the pressure towards the end of their run of hits in the ‘80s but the recent album appears to have rekindled their spirit.

“We’re just starting to rehearse again, even though the intention wasn’t to make another album this year. Last year was the 30th anniversary of the band and we knew we were going to put a bit of effort in. It’s been a good couple of years.”

As yet the new Madness recordings don’t have a working title, but after finishing his lunch Suggs reveals the new musical direction.

“Last time we did a thematic album about London that was quite dense and introverted. The new album will be a form of dance music, as people enjoy dancing to our older stuff. I can tell you it’ll be more up-tempo and a bit more raucous.”

If you miss Madness at Camp Bestival, then fear not as the band will be back in Dorset to play the BIC on December 8 with tickets going on sale today.

“It’s not quite an institution playing gigs at Christmas, but it’s heading that way.”

Some of the new songs will feature in the Christmas show but Suggs readily admits it will really be a big party.

“People are out to have a good time so we will be playing a lot of the hits. Christmas holidays, office parties and Madness. It’s a winning combination.”

At nearly 50, Suggs (real name Graham McPherson) is a seasoned veteran of the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle, but still struggles with the temptations of touring.

“I’m trying to avoid peaking too early and spending the first few nights up. You end up ruining your whole experience, but there’s no fool like an old fool. And I’m that old fool.”

“It’s lucky that we don’t tour all the time. We couldn’t spend 18 months together like other bands do. Two weeks at Christmas though, absolutely.”

• Camp Bestival is officially sold-out, but a strictly limited number of weekend camping tickets and day tickets for locals with a DT or BH postcode are available (with proof of address) from Lulworth Castle box-office only.