Skip to main content

Deep Dive: Dance Craze (1981)

Play Trailer

Film Lens

Dance Craze
Dance Craze is a 1981 documentary film focusing on the British 2 Tone music genre, directed by Joe Massot. Initially intended to feature only the band Madness, the film expanded to include the entire 2 Tone movement, capturing live performances from bands such as The Specials, The Selecter, The Bodysnatchers, the Beat, and Bad Manners during their 1980 UK tours. The film presents a vibrant snapshot of the music scene and cultural context surrounding the 2 Tone genre. The documentary includes a soundtrack album released in the same year, featuring fifteen songs from the film. Notably, later versions of the soundtrack omit tracks by Madness and include songs credited to the Special AKA, a later version of The Specials. In 2023, Dance Craze was re-released in cinemas and on Blu-ray and DVD, allowing new audiences to experience this significant moment in British music history.

Why Watch

  • •See Madness perform 'The Prince' live.
  • •Find out about the 2 Tone music movement.
  • •Watch The Specials play 'Nite Klub' on stage.
  • •Experience the energy of British ska music.

Did You Know

•Dance Craze was directed by Joe Massot in 1981.
•The film features live performances from six bands during 1980.
•The original soundtrack album contains fifteen songs.
•Later versions of the soundtrack replace Madness tracks with Special AKA songs.
•In 2023, Dance Craze returned to cinemas and was released on Blu-ray.

Perfect For

Ska music fansBritish music historyLive concert enthusiasts