Glastonbury may have been at the forefront of every music-lover’s mind this weekend, but it’s doubtful any Pyramid Stage band got the same reaction as when Madness launched into One Step Beyond.

When the shout went out midway through the Camden nutty boys’ set the whole crowd became a mass of skanking limbs, and didn’t stop dancing until the band left the stage at 9.15pm.

That’s not to say Suggs and co didn’t deliver in the first half - the band’s opening salvo included Embarrassment, My Girl and first hit single The Prince.

But when a band can end a set with an unbroken run of six top ten hits, and throw in another couple of chart classics as an encore, it’s clear the audience is in the presence of greatness.

In Pictures: Madness Play Hove

The band didn’t just dwell on past glories – the early evening show opened with new song Grand Slam and there were songs from all three of the band’s post-reunion albums scattered throughout.

The only missing element was second vocalist Chas Smash – having embarked on a solo career. His absence was most obvious on Our House and the opening address of One Step Beyond.

It was up to Brighton-based guitarist Chris Foreman, dressed in a bright pink Gresham Blake suit, to provide his own introduction with a sub-karaoke version of Livin’ On A Prayer - explaining: “if anyone complains about the noise we can say it’s Bon Jovi”.

Four stars