Madness

Originally Ian Dury’s backbone, The Blockheads have been a staple of the British scene since 1977. They first made their mark on the legendary Stiff Records tour, helping turn New Boots and Panties!! into a classic before hitting the top of the charts with ‘Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick’ and ‘What a Waste’.

They’re famous for being one of the tightest bands in the business, blending punk, funk, and jazz in a way that’s impossible to copy. From touring with Lou Reed to their legendary slots at Madstock in Finsbury Park, they’ve always had a close connection to the Madness family.

While the world lost Ian Dury in 2000, the band — led by original members like Mick Gallagher, Chaz Jankel, Norman Watt-Roy, and John Turnbull — kept the flame alive. They’ve continued to release new music and tour relentlessly, proving that their “rhythm and sticks” sound hasn’t aged a day. For a day like Madrophenia on Brighton Beach, you couldn’t ask for a better warm-up than these icons of the British New Wave.

Led by the “Queen of Ska,” Pauline Black OBE, The Selecter were one of the definitive bands of the 2-Tone movement. They helped shape the sound of the late 70s and early 80s with a string of classic singles like ‘On My Radio’, ‘Three Minute Hero’, and ‘Missing Words’.

Coming off the back of a huge 2025, which saw the band celebrate the 45th anniversary of their debut album Too Much Pressure and play a massive set on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. The band’s current energy is captured in the recent documentary Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story, which tells the story of Pauline’s life and her role as one of the most influential women in British music.

While the band mourned the loss of original member Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson in 2024, his spirit remains a huge part of their live show. Their most recent studio album, Human Algebra, proved they are still as sharp and politically relevant as ever. With original drummer Charley ‘Aitch’ Bembridge behind the kit, The Selecter bring that same anarchic 2-Tone passion to the Madrophenia lineup. If you’re heading to the beach for Madness, you’ll want to get down early to see one of the most vital ska bands in the world do what they do best.

The legendary actor, host and broadcaster Craig Charles is one of the UK’s most beloved Funk and Soul DJs.

From Robot Wars to Red Dwarf, Craig has now grounded himself as a Funk & Soul icon after 10 years of broadcasting on BBC 6 Music with their primetime Saturday night show. And so, the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show was born, pioneering 6 Music radio show from its dawn in 2002. Live every Saturday night with an assortment of classic gems and emerging artists, Craig has garnered global support as one of the UK’s foremost Funk and Soul commentators, DJs and promoters of new music. The show has become a European benchmark for artists who want to connect directly with their fans.

Craig Charles has captivated crowds throughout the UK — the Maestro of funk has played at numerous festivals such as Lovebox, Parklife, Festival No.6, Wychwood Festival, Common People, and Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival to name but a few. In 2016 Craig played to over 10,000 people at the world-famous Arcadia and Shangri-La stage in Glastonbury.

Think you know the Fab Four? Think again. The Beatles Dub Club is a high-energy show from DJ Chris Arnold that reimagines the greatest band in history through a lens of reggae, ska, dub, and hip-hop. For this special Madrophenia date, Chris is bringing the With the Beatles Dub Club Horn Section, transforming the set into a full-throttle live experience where iconic melodies meet live brass and heavy bass.

Since exploding onto the festival circuit, the show has become a massive draw at Glastonbury, Boomtown, and Latitude. It even caught the ear of Fatboy Slim, who personally invited the club to perform at his ‘All Back To Minehead’ weekender. By 2024, the show was going global with tours across Australia and New Zealand, eventually landing support slots for icons like UB40, The Wailers, and fellow Brighton lineup mates The Selecter.

Fresh off a huge 2025 tour and even receiving a stamp of approval from Mary McCartney, The Beatles Dub Club is coming to Brighton Beach to prove exactly why it was named one of the top alternative acts to watch at Glastonbury. With the added power of the live horn section, expect John, Paul, George, and Ringo like you’ve never heard them before. It’s the ultimate sunshine soundtrack for a day on the pebbles.