WIN TICKETS TO SEE MADNESS LIVE @ THIS EXCLUSIVE, TICKET ONLY EVENT!

Tickets for the exclusive gig featuring Madness will be given away free to Absolute Radio listeners via an on air text message competition.

To be in with a chance of winning a place in the 'Absolute Radio Party Area' - a limited access area (with a capacity of only 1500) in front of the stage in Regent Street – simply answer this question:
 
• Who is the lead singer of Madness?
 
Then send a text beginning with AbsoluteRadio followed by their answer to 81215.*

NB: Texts are charged at £1.50 plus your standard network fee, open to over 18’s only.



The annual Regent Street Festival will this year see Regent Street and Absolute Radio host a joint birthday party, with Madness performing an exclusive concert for the radio station on the mile of style, supported by none other than the acoustic sounds of Newton Faulkner, plus singer/songwriter/guitarist Jersey Budd and musical duo the Yeah You's.

2009 sees the Regent Street Festival celebrate its tenth year and Absolute Radio’s 1st birthday on September 27 between 12 noon and 8pm.

This year the Regent Street Festival has opted for the rather appropriate theme ‘Birthdays’. Traffic free for the day, together Regent Street and Absolute Radio will provide a fun-packed day in London’s favourite shopping street, with the national radio station bringing one of London’s most loved bands, Madness, to perform an exclusive gig for listeners on Regent Street.

The most anticipated annual free outdoor extravaganza of the year, the Regent Street Festival, as usual, will offer exciting events, activities and in store offers for all the family throughout the day. All this of course, will be topped by the rock ‘n’ roll birthday bash hosted by Absolute Radio Breakfast Show DJ Christian O’Connell & Hometime DJ Geoff Lloyd.

The first time ever that the famous curve has been closed for a concert, Madness will be celebrating their own 30th birthday with this moment of unforgettable music history – set to be broadcast live to the nation on Absolute Radio on Sunday 27 September from 6pm.

This special day will also raise money to support Cancer Research UK’s vital study into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. With this in mind, Absolute Radio and the Regent Street Festival will be encouraging festival goers and retailers to dig deep on the day.

In addition, a Fantastic Birthday Presents Auction is being held in aid of Cancer Research UK including Madness, Newton Faulkner and Regent Street prizes... Click here, for further details.

The September 27 birthday party will also see Regent Street celebrate 180 years of shopping history, with many of the stores celebrating  birthdays, such as Jaeger – 125, Gap – 40, Hamleys – 250, Quiksilver – 40 and Desigual & Uniqlo each hitting the 25 year mark.

There will be celebrations all day long, including live performances on the main stage and two giant Birthday cakes made of thousands of little cup cakes to be served at 3pm. Outside of Hamleys there will be a children’s lawn which will be home to face painters, animal characters, a birthday tea party, balloon artists and magicians.

And it doesn’t stop there… with a fashion show, stiltwalkers, roaming musicians, a ferris wheel, a carousel, children’s rides and street performers on hand to keep partygoers entertained throughout the day. What’s more, if you fancy a nibble or a soothing cocktail, the food quarter (comprising of Heddon Street and Swallow Street) will also be adopting the birthday theme of the day. Expect special parties, children’s menus and of course, a vast selection of those aforementioned cocktails…

The Absolute Radio Birthday Party – Madness Live at the Regent Street Festival will be broadcast 6pm on Saturday 27 September at 6pm. Further details of the event can be found at www.absoluteradio.co.uk/birthday

*Photograph courtesy of The Evening Standard

See individual retailer pages for specific festival offers in store!