An early 1980s childhood was one that resounded to the heavy, heavy monster sound (to quote One Step Beyond) of Madness, and here at Wembley is proof that the young minds of 25 years ago were impressed by what they heard. Now in their mid-30s, the fans remember every word of every song, which isn't surprising - but they also mirror, to the last grimace, the band's blokey bonhomie. If anything, suffused with alcoholic festive cheer, they out-jolly the seven slightly shopworn men on stage.

For the past decade, Madness have sporadically reassembled for Christmas tours, and are now stuck with the "do not open till December" label borne by other reunited nostalgia acts. Singer Suggs wryly draws attention to their heritage status: "Thirty years we've been doing this - the Victoria and Albert Museum have been on the blower, cos they want to devote a whole wing to what's left of Madness."

Those 30 years have exacted a toll in the shape of bald pates and slowed-down legs, but the ska-flavoured spirit is intact. With a dozen smash singles in their catalogue, there's no need for padding, so they play it straight, hit after buoyant hit. A band who can pack the triple punch of One Step Beyond, Embarrassment and My Girl in the first 10 minutes of their show is a band who deserve a lot of love, and they're showered with it by a skanking, jigging crowd.

Strange to think that these genial purveyors of Baggy Trousers were once revolutionary mixers of white pop and Caribbean ska. Now the music, and their uniforms of suits and sunglasses, simply signal family fun. Speaking of which, Suggs remarks that it is the eve of his 25th wedding anniversary - startling confirmation that the Nutty Boys have grown into only mildly nutty men.