Gig review The Specials Manchester Appollo

[Alexinblack]

What a great gig, this was a sell out weeks ago. It will be 35 years of Two Tone next year and for a lot of people that were seeing bands like the Specials and Madness when they first came out but like Stranglers gig there are a lot of younger people who where they last night many of them in Fred Perrys, Harringtons and Doc Martens. The Specials came on just after nine, and opened with Concrete Jungle and the crowd were up for it as soon as they came on , then followed Do the dog, Gangsters, Rat Race, Dawning on a new era. The set was full of great songs the big hits such as Ghost Town, Too Much Too Young, other songs such as Why which great to hear live as well. They ended with your wondering now to a great reception.

A couple of things that would have made the gig even better. Neville Staples not been there was a shame, I've seen Neville a couple of times with his band he does what Hugh Cornwell does. my favorite Specials song is stupid marriage which they didn't do.

They still have after all these years.

[elvisintheclouds]

Cheers for the review, glad it was a good 'un

[theraven1979]

Sounds good to me - Cheers Alex

Jim

[evonx]

I think I read somewhere Neville had left recently - too bad. Glad you had such a fun night though!

[Hammer]

Cheers Alex.

[Burn e 77]

Skankin, review m8t!
Bernie 77

[Toiler On The Sea]

Thanks for the review.

Saw them a few years ago at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange and was mightily impressed.
The atmosphere was what it used to be like in the Hey-days- of the Barrowlands, F@ckin' mental from the minute the curtain dropped.
Definately a band I'd go and see again, but it has to be the right sized venue(SECC is not acceptable)

[Hammersmith1982]

The Specials are probably the best band in the world for me, followed by Madness and The Stranglers.

[Sancho Panza]

As said by others earlier, It was a great gig. Predominatly first album, singles and b sides and a few from More Specials.

Weird that there was no support, can't ever remember going to a gig at the Apollo that didn't have a support act.

No fuss. no frills stage set which was pretty good, no Nev Staples which was not.

Highlights besides the obvious classics for me were

The Man at C&A (who couldn't like a song with the opening lyrics "The man in black he told me"!?
Pearls Cafe
Maggies Farm

Oh, and being on Brads guest list and getting an afterparty pass was pretty cool too. had a good chat with Horace, what a nice chap.

[Alexinblack]

As said by others earlier, It was a great gig. Predominatly first album, singles and b sides and a few from More Specials.

Weird that there was no support, can't ever remember going to a gig at the Apollo that didn't have a support act.

No fuss. no frills stage set which was pretty good, no Nev Staples which was not.

Highlights besides the obvious classics for me were

The Man at C&A (who couldn't like a song with the opening lyrics "The man in black he told me"!?
Pearls Cafe
Maggies Farm

Oh, and being on Brads guest list and getting an afterparty pass was pretty cool too. had a good chat with Horace, what a nice chap.

It was a shame that there was now support act and also that Neville wasn't there, would like to try and catch them again next year.

[evonx]

Apparently Neville had to step back for a while for health reasons, hope he'll return in the near future!

[Alexinblack]

Apparently Neville had to step back for a while for health reasons, hope he'll return in the near future!

I do remember him having an operation not so long ago.