“It’s nearly Christmas, which must mean it’s time for… MADNESS!”

As festive traditions go, a night out with Suggs and co bouncing to the likes of Night Boat To Cairo sure beats drunkenly screeching along to Slade after too many mulled wines at the work Christmas party.

Having taken a year off in 2013, ska legends Madness returned to the Brighton Centre for their regular pre-Christmas shindig, playing both a family-friendly matinee and a sell-out evening show.

The late show also saw its fair share of teenagers among the original skinheads. Madness’s appeal, it seems, spans the generations.

Even as they approach their 40th anniversary, the band never once looked like they were going through the motions.

Their energy and love of music was clear, as they created a party atmosphere that saw even the most reluctant up and skanking by the end.

More recent tracks such as NW5 held their own against the classics, with new track The Last Rag And Bone Man showing the band in a nostalgic storytelling mood.

But it was the last half hour that really upped the ante, with a run of greatest hits including Baggy Trousers and It Must Be Love, before a storming encore of One Step Beyond and Prince Buster’s Madness.