Madness Announce Hour of Need Award To Celebrate Unsung Heroes

by | May 16, 2024

One of the UK’s most beloved British bands Madness have today announced a very special Hour of Need Award, allowing fans to nominate people who they’d like to thank for having been there for them or others during challenging times.

Madness

Madness (Press)
Madness (Press)

The award, named after their current single, offers an incredible experience including 2 tickets to a Madness 2024 headline show of the winner’s choice, along with travel, accommodation, and an exclusive meet-and-greet with the band. Winners will also receive a Special Edition Bookpack of the album, signed by the band for the person who made the nomination and the person that got nominated. A signed 2xCD version of the album will be sent as a runner up prize.

To enter someone for this golden opportunity, fans are asked to send a short video (One-minute max) explaining who they want to nominate and why. To enter fans can either post on a social network platform of their choice, using the hashtag #HourOfNeedAward. Or email hourofneedaward@gmail.com with a link to the video. The cut off point for entries is Friday 7th June, 9am. Watch Madness frontman Suggs’ entry video below:

Soon to embark on their C’est La Vie summer tour, Madness will perform everywhere from racecourses to castles all across the UK and Ireland. The tour will have a Theatre Of The Absurd fancy dress theme, with photographers present at each show snapping fans in the most outrageous costumes. Talking about the theme, the band said: “the more absurd the better.” The best ones will win prizes and will be immortalised on an official poster.

The 19-date tour will call at Margate, Southampton, Plymouth, Newcastle, Lincoln, Edinburgh, Lytham Festival, Scarborough, Llangollen, Derby, Cardiff, Englefield Estate, Leeds, Ludlow Castle, Blackheath, Esher, Audley End, Belfast and Galway Airport.

Madness have also announced an expanded version of their first studio UK Official Charts No.1 album. Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est La Vie (Enhanced Edition) which is set for release on 7th June 2024 via BMG. The expanded album features 5 brand new studio tracks: I’d Do Anything (If I Could), No Reason, Hello Sun, Long Goodbye and Culture Vulture, all recorded during their C’est La Vie album sessions. Also on the album are 7 live tracks recorded on last year’s C’est La Vie tour: Theatre Of The Absurd, C’est La Vie, Hour Of Need, Round We Go, Run For Your Life, In My Street and a cover of The Specials’ Friday Night Saturday Morning – a fan favourite on the tour.

Throughout their career, Madness have had one no.1 UK Official Charts album, two no.1 compilation albums, 10 UK top ten albums, 15 top ten singles and have won a multitude of awards including a prestigious Ivor Novello. They’ve performed on the top of Buckingham Palace as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and set the record for the biggest ever audience for the BBC’s Live New Year’s Eve Broadcast – the most watched TV music event of 2018.

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Film a short video (One-minute max) telling us about who you nominate and why?
2. Post it on a social network platform of your choice.
3. Use the hashtag #HourOfNeedAward
4. Email hourofneedaward@gmail.com with a link to your video
*entries should be sent by Friday 7th June – 9am.

Upcoming UK & Ireland Tour Dates:

JUNE
14th – Margate, Summer Series
15th – Plymouth, Summer Sessions
16th – Southampton, Summer Sessions
28th – Newcastle, Racecourse
29th – Lincoln Castle

JULY
5th – Edinburgh Castle
6th – Lytham Festival
12th – Scarborough, Open Air Theatre
13th – Llangollen, International Musical Eisteddfod
14th – Derby, Summer Sessions
18th – Cardiff Castle
19th – Englefield Estate
26th – Leeds, Kirkstall Abbey
27th – Ludlow Castle
28th – Blackheath, Uptown Festival
31st – Esher, Sandown Park Racecourse

AUGUST
2nd – Audley End, Essex
9th – Belfast, Custom House Square
10th – Galway Airport, Ireland

LeAnn Rimes Fights The Moonlight At The O2

The Wildhearts @ O2 Academy Islington (Louise Phillips)

The Wildhearts vs. Meryl Streek Ignite London’s O2 Academy Islington

Tonight is The Wildhearts’ traditional December London show, a dual celebration of Christmas and Ginger Wildheart’s birthday — he turns 61 on 17th December. This year the festivities take place at North London’s O2 Academy Islington, with Meryl Streek as the sole support act.

Spike And The Gimme Gimmes @ O2 Forum Kentish Town (Nick Allan)

Here’s Another Cover: Spike And The Gimme Gimmes Turn Christmas Into A Punk Rock Singalong Riot

Spike And The Gimme Gimmes don’t just play shows – they turn rooms into shared experiences, where sweat, nostalgia, and punk energy collide at full volume. On this night, at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town, that collision came wrapped in Christmas lights, tinsel, and unapologetic festive excess.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Spread Their Love To The Troxy

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – the garage heroes who’ve ‘spread their love’ across the globe before selling out...
Drink The Sea @ Jazz Cafe (Adrian Hextall)

Drink The Sea Cast A Spell On London’s Jazz Café

London gets its first taste of Drink The Sea tonight, and it immediately feels like something special. Touring in...
Better Joy @ Hammersmith Apollo (Kalpesh Patel)

Better Joy’s Rise Continues As Manchester Indie-Pop Breakout Commands London’s Hammersmith Apollo

Better Joy’s upward momentum shows no sign of slowing as Bria Keely brings her shimmering indie-pop project to the vast stage of Hammersmith Apollo on 20th November 2025, opening for Amy Macdonald. It’s a landmark moment for the Manchester-based songwriter, whose journey from intimate rooms to arena-sized crowds has accelerated at remarkable speed over the past eighteen months.

Alabama 3 Inject A Hypo Full Of Love Into O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

The enigma that is Alabama 3, the world’s only acid house country band, are the perfect strong finish to 2025. Holographic suits, raving to John Pine covers and even the AI resurrection of deceased co-founder Reverend D Wayne Love take second place to the overwhelming sense of joy in an eclectic community that’s coalesced around their charismatic music.

GUV (Victoria Prestes)

GUV Unveils Euphoric New Single ‘Warmer Than Gold’ Ahead of January Album Release

GUV has shared a new single, Warmer Than Gold, the latest offering from his forthcoming album of the same name, due...
Mumford & Sons @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Mumford & Sons Return Home Renewed And Reignited At The O2 Arena

Mumford & Sons often still conjure images of waistcoats, banjos and the folk revival that erupted in 2009, but...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing