​IT MUST be love. Madcap 80s stars Madness are to headline at Sound Island Festival at Quex Park in July.  on Saturday  July 24.

The Camden nutty boys spent much of the 80s at the top of the charts with hits including It Must Be Love, Baggy Trousers, House of Fun, One Step Beyond and Our House.

They share the record with UB40 for the most number of weeks spent by a group in the singles charts in the 1980s – an incredible 214 weeks.

Legendary frontman Suggs is married to Margate girl Bette Bright (CORR) and the band have played the Winter Gardens in her home town several times.

After splitting in 1986 for six years the boys got back together when the re-release of their cover of Labi Siffre’s hit from 1971, It Must Be Love, reached number six in the singles chart and the compilation album, Divine Madness, then topped the album charts.

Madness by reunited ing for a “one-off” concert, Madstock,  in North London’s Finsbury Park and music legend has it that the 75,000 fans who attended Madstock caused the local residents to report an earthquake to the police during during One Step Beyond. 

Fans will be able to see them live at the Sound Island Festival on Saturday  July 24 with special guests as they join current chart-toppers and double  at The Brit Award winners JLS, who have already been announced as the headline act for  will headline Sundaythe following day, Sunday 25 July.

Tickets for both days are available from Gigantic.com, or from the Margate Winter Gardens 01843 292795 or See Tickets 08712 200260 (24hrs). Special guests for both concerts are to be announced shortly.