CHRISTMAS wouldn’t be Christmas without a series of Madness concerts — and this year will be no exception.

The band, who were one of the most successful chart acts of the ‘80s, will be playing Manchester Central (formerly G-Mex) on Thursday, December 18.

But for lead singer Suggs there is no danger of the band becoming something of a novelty act, just playing big venues over the festive period.

“It would be easy for us to just turn out and play the hits every year,” he said. “But that’s not what we want to do.”

The band have recorded their first original album in nine years — The Liberty of Norton Folgate — which is due to be released next year. And it is this album rather than the Christmas shows which is getting Suggs particularly excited.

“I think it will be a big year for Madness,” he said. “I genuinely think that the album is that good.

“It will be interesting to see how it goes.

“We’re not arrogant enough to think it will be a hit but we’ve really given it our best shot and put a lot of work into the album.

“One of the problems in the past has been that no-one’s been able to commit to the band full time and it’s been difficult getting everyone together.

“But we all felt that there was some unfinished business, that there was still at least one more great Madness record to be made.

“Apart from an album of ska covers — The Dangerman Sessions — three years ago we haven’t really done anything.

“But for the new album we’ve gone through around 50 songs to get to the ones we’re happy with and it’s taken around two-and-a-half years.”

Some of the new songs will feature in the Christmas show but Suggs readily admits it will really be a big party.

“There are different dynamics to the Christmas shows,” he said. “We are playing big venues and people are out to have a good time so we will be playing a lot of the hits.”

But Madness have done a series of small shows to test out some of their new songs too and Suggs isn’t ruling out a smaller tour next year.

“We really haven’t done the small, intimate venues for 20 years, “ he said.

Like many bands who have massive success, Madness struggled to cope with the touring and the pressure towards the end of their run of hits in the ‘80s but the Christmas shows and the new album appear to have rekindled their spirit.

“We’re really enjoying being together,” said Suggs. “The only problem with Madness was when we weren’t making music.”

  • Madness play Manchester Central on Thursday, December 18. Details from gigsandtours.com or by phoning the 24-hour credit card hotline on 0871 2200 260.