Madness delight fans at Brighton's On the Beach festival

Having returned for a second night after Thursday's show proved so popular, Madness looked completely at home on Brighton beach. From the opening moments, there was a sense that this wasn't just another stop on a summer tour but a band playing in a city that has long embraced them.

Long before the music began, people had settled in with food and drinks from the festival stalls, making the most of the warm evening. Families, groups of friends and fans who have followed Madness for decades mixed effortlessly, while others perched on the pebbles looking out to sea as the light slowly began to fade.

Madness lit up Brighton beach with a hit-filled set (Image: Mike Burnell)

Few venues can rival Brighton beach on an evening like this. As the sun dropped behind the city, those looking along the shoreline could watch it set beyond Brighton Palace Pier while the stage slowly came to life. By the time darkness arrived, the lighting reflected off the sea behind the band, creating a backdrop few arenas could ever hope to match.

Suggs remains one of Britain's most engaging frontmen. He doesn't need elaborate theatrics to hold an audience. A knowing grin, a shuffle across the stage and his trademark dry humour were enough to keep people hanging on every word. His affection for Brighton was clear throughout the evening, with the local crowd responding warmly to his between-song chat.

That sense of familiarity carried throughout the set. Between songs, Suggs chatted comfortably with the audience, making the evening feel more like a homecoming than another stop on a busy summer schedule.

One of the night's biggest ovations came before House of Fun. Introducing each member of the band, Suggs saved guitarist Chris Foreman until last, describing him as "a son of Brighton" before adding: "He loves it down here." Foreman, who now lives in nearby Peacehaven, received one of the loudest cheers of the evening. Seeing him back on stage after his battle with blood cancer was clearly a special moment for long-time fans and added an emotional touch to an evening built on celebration.

Madness perform in front of around 10,000 fans on Brighton beach (Image: Mike Burnell)

The musicianship throughout was as tight as ever. Decades of playing together were evident in how effortlessly the songs flowed, with every member looking like they were enjoying the occasion as much as the audience. The brass section remained as punchy as ever, while the rhythm section provided the unmistakable groove that has helped define Madness for almost 50 years.

The biggest moments arrived with the songs everyone had come to hear. Our House turned Brighton beach into one giant choir, with voices taking over every chorus. Baggy Trousers sparked the liveliest scenes of the night as fez hats flew into the air and the crowd bounced together from the front barrier to the back of the site.

Then came It Must Be Love, which transformed the atmosphere once again. Arms wrapped around shoulders, couples danced together and thousands softly sang every word against the backdrop of the darkening Sussex coastline. It was one of those moments where the setting elevated the song just as much as the performance itself.

The Camden legends returned to Brighton for a second sold-out On the Beach show (Image: Mike Burnell)

There was plenty of humour too. A marriage proposal during the evening prompted a huge roar before the celebrations quickly continued, adding another memorable chapter to a night already full of smiles.

Brighton has welcomed plenty of major names to the On the Beach festival, but few have felt so perfectly matched to the setting. With the sea behind them and a crowd in full voice in front of them, Madness reminded everyone why these songs have endured across generations. On one of the most beautiful evenings of the summer, they felt exactly where they belonged.