The Specials

The Specials 13th/14th/15th November 2014 the Roundhouse London. Great venue, three different nights, and 3 great evenings. The first night I was down the front, skanking to the greatest tunes ever,and enjoying the banter with the band, singing at the top of my voice, and enjoying myself, Terry Hall was on top form tonight, as we were leaving the venue, everyone was singing at the top of their voices. Saturday night the place was buzzing, you could hardly move, so I had to stand at the back, to do my dancing, meet some great people, who for some, it was their first time ever seeing The Specials, and they couldn't believe how brilliant they were live. Terry wasn't so talkive tonight, but the rest of the guys made up for it, Lynval is so funny, it is like his having his own private party everytime. Once again the crowd leave, singing at the top of their voice. Sunday night, and no standing available, so we have to sit upstairs, luckily we have fantastic seats, but we don't sit for long as soon as the music begin, we are up and stomping in our seats, the band are on top form and everyone is singing and dancing, then Terry decides to introduce the band, something that they never do and it is hilarious.... Steve Craddock the new guitarist is brilliant, but I do miss Roddy, as he was a lovely guy, and then its Enjoy yourself and you know that the show is coming to a end, before they finally sing, Your wondering now and, then you know the night is finally over...... once again another sing song on the way out. Next stop the Troxy next Friday.... bring it on.

If you are at all a ska fan, The Specials are a must see. I never saw them back in the original 79-82 period, but have had the pleasure to see them twice in Chicago (96 and 13). In both concerts, they lived up to their expectations and reputation. Minus Jerry Damers, that skank on with original members Terry Hall – vocals, Lynval - guitar/vocals, Sir Horance Panter - bass, and Roddy Radiation – guitar.
The sweep through their recorded catalog with favorites such as ‘Concrete Jungle’, ‘Nite Klub’, ‘Do the Dog’, ‘Monkey Man’, ‘Enjoy Yourself, ‘A Message to You, Rudy’ and many more like “Ghost Town, ‘A Little Bit of Me’, ‘Rat Race’ and many more. The band transports you back to heyday of Two Tone record label and tours. Personally I am glued to Roddy Radiation. This guy slings his guitar reckless abandon flailing about the stage the whole set. Singer Terry Hall seems to be the only one on stage grounded and holding the mayhem together with his apathetic attitude and cockiness.
Expect the crowd frenzy of slam dancing, crowd surfing and being soaking wet with sweat.
This band is a true blend of punk and ska. Well worth every penny spend on your hard-earned ticket.

Returning to the stage after a particularly long hiatus, neither the brilliance of The Specials’ music nor the force of its ever present political messages have dimmed even a little. Founders of the hugely influential 2 Tone new wave / ska punk movement of the late Seventies, The Specials were the kind of band who could take a song about a topic as dour as recession-hit Britain under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher ("Ghost Town") all the way to the top of the charts, owing to their absolute mastery of a melodic hook – practically unthinkable material for a ‘big hit’ in the modern age. While it’s common to see a crowd of old mods, teddy boys and skinheads at Specials gig these days, the violence associated with those scenes has long been left behind – everyone, their kids included, is here for a party. The Specials duly provide the soundtrack, a suited up Terry Hall leading his dapper band through racy versions of "Concrete Jungle," "A Message To You Rudy" and "Gangsters" that have everyone skanking in unison. As much fun as the crowd are having, it’s most pleasing to see that, after such a long break, The Specials themselves look to be enjoying it more than anyone.

The show was great, they played hit after hit. I saw them at the Danforth 2 yrs ago and I went to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Like many of the bands I like, b52s, omd having their 40th soon. I love the new wave bands and now they are coming back for their last kick at the can. I am enjoying going back down memory lane. I have tickets to nick murphy/ beacons show and then the b52s omd show after. I am still waiting for crystal fighters to get their butts over here to see them.
back to the specials concert. During the opening act 3 females sitting in front of me decided they did not like opening act and were texting and showing pics to each other during the whole show. I was distracted by the white light glowing while they texted and told them to stop flashing the phone in front of me..they were jerks and kept their phones on the whole time. Its one thing to take pics but to text and chat during the whole show is distracting and should not happen. They were not in the moment and ruined the opening act for me. message to all you phone users ..Turn them off and enjoy the show, people come to see the show not your pics and phone's light...grrrrr

I saw the Specials at the Danforth last night and really enjoyed every moment. Opening with Ghost town set the mood for the night. So many grey haired fans. I am 60 and it was good to not be the oldest there..It was great to see so many people drop their canes and start dancing and singing along to most songs.hehehe. It took me back to when the songs came out. The Danforth is great for seeing bands at an inexpensive cost. The Specials were worth seeing live for sure. I buy the music, tshirts and go to see bands that I like..we have to support these bands any way we can..music brings joy to most humans.. I have tickets for Gary Clark Jr. next week and Future Islands and the Pyschedelic Furs in Oct. I have been seeing concerts since the early 70's Frank Zappa, Jethro Tull, ZZ top etc. and I am open to many types of music.
I am hoping les Amazones D'Afrique or Crystal fighters are reading this and come to Toronto soon.
MUSIC KEEPS ME ALIVE...THATS WHY I AM STILLATIT

Brilliant from start to finish played all the old classics plus a selection from the recent encore album. Terry was his usual melancholy self, but I presume he enjoyed the gig has there were two encores finishing off with your wondering now. Great atmosphere especially for the final six songs which were real stompers starting with nite club & finishing off with too much too young

Great venue, support act Tut had superb attitude and good songs hope they do well
The Specials what can I say apert from an extremely long wait for them to come on stage they didn't disappoint when they did going through all the favourite songs and some new stuff
Spectacular performance and so glad I saw them, another one ticked off the list.

Fantastic night. Terry Hall looking and singing as cool as ever. Brilliant set and the crowd participated well. Can't fault it - great night all round.

Staff were as good natured as the crowd - and I met Kyle from the View (love the View) who graced me with a photo.

Rude Boys rocked the house!! Hope they are back soon!!

Saw The Specials at Music Tastes Good in Long Beach and they were awesome! Waited 35 years to see the bands (minus a few originals) but Terry, Lynval, and Horace still bring the party. So glad they had an LA concert and gave a middle aged "rude boy" a chance to see this iconic group.

The Specials played at the House of Blues in San Diego last night and what a great show it was. It was energetic and fun. They played all their classics and had everyone in the venue singing and dancing. I would definitely see this band, if they come around again.