Victorious Festival has announced that it will be opening its doors on a Friday for the first time in 2017 for an 'Opening Party' with a headlines Madness supported by Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club, with many more acts to be announced in the New Year.

Madness said: “We’re really looking forward to this show and it’s an absolute honour to play the very first Victorious opening party. Now we know Portsmouth likes to party but they better start preparing, cos we’re gonna blow the doors off!”

Festival Director commented “Heading into our sixth year we wanted to shake things up a bit and what better way than to open proceedings with a massive party. We wracked our brains for the best party band out there and the answer was literally a no-brainer, it had to be Madness.

“We’re delighted that the guys have agreed to headline our new Friday night slot, its going to be incredible, and when Craig Charles opens his trunk of funk there’s no doubt it’ll be a night to remember!”

Victorious Festival takes place during the August Bank Holiday weekend from Friday 25th - Sunday 27th August at Southsea Seafront, Portsmouth, Hampshire.  The festival caters for the whole family across 9 stages, Victorious includes, a real ale and food festival, a huge children’s arena, markets, the Historic Dockyard attractions, DJs, a Silent Disco, and plenty of indoor entertainment just in case the great British summer turns up to wash them out!

Friday’s opening party will start at 6pm and close at 11pm. The event will include the Castle Stage, Real Ale Village, Southsea Castle and the Champagne Bar. There will be no kids area until Saturday.

Tickets for the opening party are just £20