Madness, the iconic British ska band, has recently concluded their 'Hits Parade' UK tour, which featured special guests Squeeze. The tour, announced in March 2025, commenced on December 4 at Sheffield's Utilita Arena and included 13 dates across the country, culminating in a hometown performance at London's The O2 on December 20. (nme.com)
The 'Hits Parade' tour celebrated Madness's extensive back catalogue, delivering fan favorites such as 'Our House,' 'It Must Be Love,' 'House Of Fun,' 'Baggy Trousers,' and 'One Step Beyond.' The inclusion of Squeeze as special guests added to the tour's appeal, offering audiences a double dose of classic British pop. (nme.com)
In addition to their UK tour, Madness achieved a significant milestone with their thirteenth studio album, 'Theatre of the Absurd Presents C'est la Vie,' released on November 17, 2023. The album marked their first studio release in seven years and became their first-ever number one studio album in the UK. (en.wikipedia.org)
However, the band faced a challenging period when guitarist Chris Foreman was diagnosed with myeloma, a treatable but incurable form of blood cancer, earlier this year. Foreman experienced severe pain in his upper back and shoulders, leading to the discovery of a spinal tumor. Following radiotherapy and a spinal tap procedure, his kidney function improved significantly. Despite his recovery, Foreman was unable to participate in the band's tours for the rest of the year but expressed hope of achieving remission and returning to performing in 2026. (en.wikipedia.org)
Madness's enduring popularity and recent activities, including their successful tour and album release, have kept them in the public eye, contributing to the recent surge in searches for 'Madness' in the United Kingdom.