Madzine (C’est La Vie Expanded Madzine Edition, 2024)

Prepare for an exhilarating 9-month journey with the expanded edition: The Theatre of the Absurd expands C’est La Vie Madzine magazine! This isn’t just a collection of articles; it’s a thrilling ride. It starts at the launch of the new album promotional campaign, takes you through the buzz of the tour preparations, and culminates in the grand finale of the 2023 C’est La Vie tour in November 2023 and into 2024 right into the summer. It’s a journey you won’t want to miss!

As we enter early 2024, the C’Est La Vie campaign is in full swing. We’re bringing you comprehensive coverage of the upcoming tour dates across the United States, the expanded album release, and the thrilling summer tour in the UK. We capture the essence of the first six months of 2024 and everything in between, ensuring you’re always in the know.

This artwork was originally designed for the sleeve of a complimentary CD and was intended to be included with this 48-page Madzine Special.

Strong promotion and demand, coupled with information from an informant, attracted the attention of Chris Foreman, a founding member of Madness. As a result, Madness/BMG, the band’s record label, issued a cease-and-desist demand against Madzine Magazine at the eleventh hour. Madzine promptly complied, respecting licensing and copyright laws, and withdrew the promotional CD.

Madzine Magazine intended to honour the golden age of physical media and the band’s fans. Madzine offered a complimentary one-track CD, a thoughtful gesture to reignite the nostalgic experience of holding tangible music. This CD, during a digital era dominated by streaming services and digital downloads, is a poignant reminder of the timeless magic of physical music collections. It celebrates the tactile and visual aspects of music ownership, from the meticulously designed album artwork to the ritual of placing a CD in a player. By offering this physical token, Madzine sought to honour the enduring value and personal connection that physical media brings to music lovers.

Fortunately, freedom of the press is legally protected in the United States, ensuring that the issue affected, “C’Est La Vie Expanded Edition,” was published in 2024 as initially planned, unaffected by the band’s legal threat.

From 2023 onward, in a world where digital tunes reign supreme, it’s truly regrettable that Madness hasn’t seized the opportunity to release some of their tracks as 7″ vinyl or CD singles. There’s an undeniable magic in holding a physical copy in your hands. It’s more than just music; it’s about the tangible connection it brings. The fact that Madness has shifted solely to digital releases is somewhat disheartening. However, in the absence of official releases, creativity thrives. Bootlegs emerge as a testament to our unwavering passion for their music, filling the voids and crafting custom releases to grace cherished collections.

Madzine magazine is a semi-professional and non-official publication for Madness and music fans. For those who love Madness, there is an opportunity for a new generation to experience the charm of a “Fanzine”. Although the original fans from the 80s may be content with their past, this Madzine has a unique look, feel, and character that distinguishes it from other publications. Within its pages, readers can delve into the past with one-of-a-kind articles, in-depth research from the Madness archives, and exclusive never-before-seen photography designed to introduce all fans to a new world of Madness.

It’s been several years since any such issue of a Madness zine landed on anyone’s doorstep. Sure, you can get up to the minute Madness news online, but there’s nothing like sitting down with a good zine and giving yourself a break from a screen – even better, you now own a physical piece of Madness history. So join our vibrant community of Madness enthusiasts and collectors from all over the world! Our subscribers hail from countries like Japan, Ireland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the United States, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Join us and connect with fans from various corners of the globe.