Madness were honoured to be play at the Olympic Games closing ceremony.
The ska group performed their 1982 track ‘Our House’ at the concert celebrating the end of the games on Sunday (12.08.12) and were impressed by how typically English it was.
They said: "What a privilege it was to take part in the Olympics in our home town – to invite the world to the most extraordinary street party and to be there giving out tea and sausage sandwiches at the closing ceremony."
The concert also saw special performances from Muse, Jessie J, Queen, The Who, One Direction, Kaiser Chiefs and Emeli Sande among others and organisers helped ensure its smooth running by banning any acts from drinking alcohol before 10pm, an hour after the party had started.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "The last thing they needed was everyone well-oiled before the gig even started.
"But it didn’t go down all that well with several of the performers, especially those who usually have a couple before getting on stage."
Madness singer Suggs – real name Graham McPherson – has also recently said he is impressed with the vibrant music scene and current crop of young talent in the UK.
He said: "I think there’s lots of good things going on. I think there’s lots of great new bands around, yeah I mean, there’s a very vibrant music scene in Britain at the moment."