Reformed 2-Tone legends The Specials have opened their first tour for 25 years with a stunning show in Newcastle.
The Specials were formed in Coventry in the aftermath of the punk explosion. Attempting to blend the energy of punk with the sound of ska, the group hit upon a winning formula. Together with their label 2-Tone and associated acts such as Madness and The Beat, The Specials dominated the charts with a series of hits that blended great songwriting with social relevancy.
In the long hot summer of 1981 The Specials hit the top spot with their song ‘Ghost Town’, a protest against inner city life just as the Brixton riots were in full flow. One of the truly great British pop moments, it enshrined the group as one of the best of their generation.
However internal friction came to head soon after, with frontman Terry Hall leading an exodus to form Fun Boy Three. Since then, the group have not played a show together but announced their reformation last year.
Controversially, founder and songwriter Jerry Dammers has been left out of the line up. To read both sides of the story, just pick up the latest issue of Clash Magazine which has a lengthy feature on the iconic band.
Taking to the stage in Newcastle, The Specials were greeted with a heroes welcome. Opening with ‘Do The Dog’ from their debut album, the band ran through a host of hits including ‘Rat Race’ and ‘Hey Little Rich Girl’.
The band finished with ‘You’re Wondering Now’ before beginning their encore with ‘Too Much Too Young’. The Specials then played a cover of ‘Skinhead Moonstomp’ before plunging straight into ‘Enjoy Yourself’.
The Specials are set to continue the tour with dates in Birmingham, Glasgow and a five night residency at the Brixton Academy in London. If you miss out, the group will also play a host of festivals including Glastonbury and T In The Park.
The Specials played the following set:
‘Do The Dog’
‘Dawning Of A New Era’
‘Gangsters’
‘It’s Up To You’
‘Rat Race’
‘Monkey Man’
‘Blank Expression’
‘Too Hot’
‘Doesn’t Make It Alright’
‘Concrete Jungle’
‘Friday Night Saturday Morning’
‘Stereotype’
‘Man At C&A’
‘A Message To You Rudy’
‘Do Nothing’
‘Hey Little Rich Girl’
‘Nite Klub’
‘You’re Wondering Now’
‘Ghost Town’
‘Too Much Too Young’
‘Skinhead Moonstomp’
‘Enjoy Yourself’
