Review: Madness at Fratton Park

The nutty boys pumped out a volley of hits for a huge and enthusiastic crowd - and every one was a winner.

The stage had been constructed at the Milton end, and it was standing room only on the pitch where special flooring had been laid.

Gates opened at 4pm, giving the air of a mini-festival with warm-up acts including local ska band The Racketeers, and the equally upbeat Chainska Brassica getting everyone in the mood for the main event.

Madness were on great form, frontman Suggs forming an instant rapport with the crowd, on only the fourth date of their Grandslam summer tour in which they are visiting pastures green - including football grounds, racecourses and cricket grounds across the UK.

The band have had more hits than many have had hot dinners - and they were all here - My Girl, House of Fun, Baggy Trousers, It Must Be Love, and more.

Every one is a crowd pleaser, all with singalong choruses - you can’t beat singing along to “Close your eyes and count to three - one! two! THREE!’’ with the Fratton Park faithful.

Madness and Fratton Park - a match made in heaven. Everyone’s goal was fun, and the gleeful faces of the dancing thousands proved the band had scored a triumph on Portsmouth’s hallowed turf.