Madness Set to Lead Inaugural London Rock N Roll Circus Festival

Madness has been named the lead act for the inaugural London edition of Rock N Roll Circus, sharing the stage with Fat Freddy’s Drop, Big Special, The Wailers and Hollie Cook.

The Camden ska legends will headline Gunnersbury Park on Saturday, July 24, 2027, marking their sole outdoor performance in London next summer.

“Calling all Madheads and madhatters, join us next July in the great outdoors for Rock N Roll Circus,” said Suggs. “Bring your friends, bring your family and come dance in Gunnersbury Park London. Yes London we are back!”

Rock N Roll Circus will debut in London from July 22 through July 25, featuring live music alongside circus acts, food, drinks and additional entertainment. Additional headliners and performers for the London edition have yet to be revealed.

Alongside Madness, the Saturday lineup will feature New Zealand’s Fat Freddy’s Drop, the Black Country duo Big Special, reggae pioneers The Wailers and London‑based vocalist Hollie Cook.

Resident pre‑sale tickets for the Gunnersbury Park concert will go on sale Tuesday, September 29, with a general pre‑sale following on Wednesday, September 30, and general admission opening Friday, October 2.

In an interview with NME last year regarding their ‘Hit Parade’ tour, Suggs commented, “We’re constantly dreaming up silly ideas. It resembles a tacky ’60s pop show you might have seen before.”

He noted that the band is exploring quizzes and audience interaction for certain songs, adding, “Ultimately fans want to hear the songs and sing along, but we may incorporate a bit more theatricality.”

Launched in 2022, Rock N Roll Circus blends traditional festival performances with circus acts such as aerialists, acrobats and fire breathers.

London will host the festival’s third UK location in 2027, alongside the established events at Earlham Park in Norwich and Sheffield’s Don Valley Bowl. The Norwich edition is scheduled for August 19‑22, while Sheffield’s runs from August 26‑29; no artists for the 2027 dates have been announced yet.

This year’s Norwich edition saw headline performances from James, The Streets, The Kooks and Madness, complemented by sets from Ocean Colour Scene, The Wailers, The Selecter, David Rodigan, The Vaccines and The Fratellis.

Madness brought the Norwich weekend to a close in August, and Cruz Beckham appeared with The Kooks to perform ‘Jackie Big Tits’ on the preceding evening.

Sheffield’s four‑day 2026 edition was headlined by The Kooks, The Streets, Wunderhorse and Richard Ashcroft, with additional acts such as Babyshambles, Baxter Dury, English Teacher, Fat Dog, Embrace, Cast and Miles Kane.

Regarding Madness, their 1981 film Take It Or Leave It has undergone a new 4K restoration by the BFI and is slated for a theatrical re‑release in October, while the ‘Hit Parade 7‑inch Singles Collection 1979‑1986’ box set is expected in November.

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