Legendary London band Madness have today presented iconic Camden pub, the Dublin Castle, with a PRS for Music Heritage Award and plaque.
The plaque was unveiled by frontman Suggs and the band at a special red carpet ceremony today (Thursday) at the pub as part of Independent Venue Week.
Madness first performed at the Dublin Castle in 1979, which soon turned into a year-long residency. It marked a turning point for the new band, who released their debut album, One Step Beyond, during this period.
That same year, the music video to My Girl was filmed on location at the Dublin Castle, cementing the special relationship between the band and venue.
Madness said: ‘When we started out there were tons of pubs, clubs and flower shops for bands to start out in, like how we did it. When you hear about all the venues we've lost in London over the last few years it makes us sad and worried about how new bands will ever get the opportunity to break through from the live scene, Gawd Bless the Dublin Castle and all the independent venues fighting the good fight.’
Alo Conlon, Owner of the Dublin Castle, added: ‘We feel very much part of the fabric of Madness’s history and so it’s an honour to receive this award. We pride ourselves on investing in emerging talent and giving them the platform they deserve and plan to do so for a very long time to come.’
Paul Clements, Commercial Director, PRS for Music, said: ‘We’re delighted to be awarding Madness and the Dublin Castle with the PRS for Music Heritage Award. Independent venues play such a vital role in the development and growth of so many artists. From a first live gig, to a secret performance from a music legend, these independent venues are the creative spaces that help the UK music industry to flourish.’
PRS for Music established the Heritage Award in 2009 to celebrate the important role that music venues play in supporting songwriters and artists at the start of their careers, giving them an opportunity to perform in front of a live audience for the very first time.
Previous Heritage Awards have been given to independent venues that have helped the likes of Queen, Pulp, Spandau Ballet, UB40, Status Quo, Soul II Soul, Sir Elton John CBE, Blur and more.
Read our recent interview with Suggs.
The plaque was unveiled by frontman Suggs and the band at a special red carpet ceremony today (Thursday) at the pub as part of Independent Venue Week.
Madness first performed at the Dublin Castle in 1979, which soon turned into a year-long residency. It marked a turning point for the new band, who released their debut album, One Step Beyond, during this period.
That same year, the music video to My Girl was filmed on location at the Dublin Castle, cementing the special relationship between the band and venue.
Madness said: ‘When we started out there were tons of pubs, clubs and flower shops for bands to start out in, like how we did it. When you hear about all the venues we've lost in London over the last few years it makes us sad and worried about how new bands will ever get the opportunity to break through from the live scene, Gawd Bless the Dublin Castle and all the independent venues fighting the good fight.’
Alo Conlon, Owner of the Dublin Castle, added: ‘We feel very much part of the fabric of Madness’s history and so it’s an honour to receive this award. We pride ourselves on investing in emerging talent and giving them the platform they deserve and plan to do so for a very long time to come.’
Paul Clements, Commercial Director, PRS for Music, said: ‘We’re delighted to be awarding Madness and the Dublin Castle with the PRS for Music Heritage Award. Independent venues play such a vital role in the development and growth of so many artists. From a first live gig, to a secret performance from a music legend, these independent venues are the creative spaces that help the UK music industry to flourish.’
PRS for Music established the Heritage Award in 2009 to celebrate the important role that music venues play in supporting songwriters and artists at the start of their careers, giving them an opportunity to perform in front of a live audience for the very first time.
Previous Heritage Awards have been given to independent venues that have helped the likes of Queen, Pulp, Spandau Ballet, UB40, Status Quo, Soul II Soul, Sir Elton John CBE, Blur and more.
Read our recent interview with Suggs.
