Groovy Sixties-inspired evenings at the Iconic Santalucía Sevilla Festival
On Sunday, July 6, 2025, the iconic British ska band Madness took centre stage at the Plaza de España in Seville for an unforgettable performance at the Icónica Santalucía Sevilla Fest. The concert, which began around 22:30, saw fans gathered in various zones, including the general admission standing area (Pista General), seated, numbered areas in the stands (Gradas), and special zones for people with reduced mobility [1][4].
While there is no official published setlist from the event, Madness is known for their classic ska hits, and the promotional descriptions emphasized key songs like "One Step Beyond," "Baggy Trousers," and "Our House." These tracks, staples of Madness concerts, were likely performed, capturing their signature blend of ska, humor, and nostalgic energy from the 70s and 80s [1].
As the evening progressed, the audience was treated to a lively and engaging performance that reflected Madness’s reputation as a lively and engaging live act with a theatrical, vaudeville-style performance and infectious ska rhythms [1][2]. Highlights of the second part of the concert included performances of "Grey Day" and 'Shut Up,' as well as the ludic interlude between "The Sun and The Rain" and "Los Palmas 7."
During the concert, Lee Thompson's saxophone performance was particularly inspired, adding to the band's characteristic ska sound. The band, led by singer Graham 'Suggs' McPherson, also performed a parody of Liam Gallagher and Oasis during the encore [1].
The audience, comprised of both longtime fans of the band and festival-goers enjoying the diverse lineup of the Icónica Santalucía Sevilla Fest, sang along enthusiastically, particularly during "Wings of a Dove." Madness also performed several of their classic songs, including "One Step Beyond," "Embarrassment," an a cappella fragment of "Help!," "The Prince," "NW5," and "My Girl." They even sang a version of "The Harder They Come," originally by Jimmy Cliff [1].
The band, active for five decades, has maintained its popularity, and the event was accessible only for registered users and subscribers [1][3]. Key members of Madness include Chris Foreman (guitarist), Mike Barson (keyboardist), Mark Bedford (bassist), Dan Woodgate (drummer), and Lee Thompson (saxophonist). However, Andrés González-Barba, who is not mentioned in the provided paragraphs, was not present at the concert.
The Icónica Santalucía Sevilla Fest, located in Sevilla, is noted for hosting iconic and energetic acts, further supporting a positive reception for Madness's performance [1][2]. Despite the lack of detailed critical reviews of this particular show in the search results, the concert is expected to have maintained the band's characteristic exuberance and audience connection.
Social media buzzed with excitement as fans shared their experiences and footage from Madness's unforgettable performance at the Icónica Santalucía Sevilla Fest, capturing the music's energy and the band's theatrical flair. The event, marked by its diverse lineup, became a trending topic on entertainment and music platforms, reflecting the growing impact of social media on traditional fashion-driven entertainment events.
