In June 2011, the band performed at Meltdown Festival at the Royal Festival Hall, curated by inspiration Ray Davies, who also introduced the band on stage. The concert served as the premiere of three new songs – “1978”, “Can’t Keep a Good Thing Down” and “Death of a Rude Boy”.
The summer of 2012 saw two notable performances. In June, the band performed at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace. The band performed “Our House” and “It Must Be Love” from the roof of the palace with accompanying animations projected onto the palace front. In August, the band was the first to perform at the closing ceremony of the London Olympic Games. Departed bass player Bedford rejoined the band for both performances.[56] In August 2012, Madness released “Death of a Rude Boy” as a free teaser track from their new album. Madness’ 10th studio album Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da was released on 29 October 2012 and entered the UK Albums Chart at no.10.[57] In January 2013 the album re-entered the chart at no. 16 on the back of the airplay success of the single “Never Knew Your Name”.
From the start of 2013, Bedford increased his performances with the band building to his full-time return to the group, which meant close to the four years Graham Bush had spent with the band.[58][better source needed]
On 22 March 2013, the band performed outside the BBC Television Centre in a live broadcast for BBC Four. This was followed by Goodbye Television Centre, a celebration of 50 years of the television centre, marking the closure of the building and the last show to be broadcast from it.[59] Following that the band was the closing act to the new year celebration of 2014 in Dublin, Ireland.
On 22 March 2014, Suggs confirmed that Madness were writing a new album which he stated “the band plan to record in the summer and release by the end of 2014”.[60]
In October 2014, Cathal Smyth, aka Chas Smash, left Madness to pursue a solo career. His solo album, A Comfortable Man, was released on 11 May 2015. Although Smyth’s departure was characterized at the time as a ‘break’ to concentrate on his solo career and not necessarily a permanent departure, Smyth has not rejoined Madness in the years since the break was announced. Madness has continued as a six-piece.
In February 2015, the band announced the Grandslam tour, taking in 20 outdoor venues.
