The Specials Launch 30th Anniversary UK Tour In Newcastle

The Specials played their first official show of their UK tour last night at the Newcastle Academy. The band opened with 'Do The Dog'. Highlights of the set included 'Little Bitch', 'Gangsters', a cracking version of 'Ghost Town', 'Doesn't Make It Alright' and the set closer 'Enjoy Yourself'.

UK newspaper reviews of the band's performance have all been very positive. The Guardian commenting the songs written 30 years ago were still relevant: "Picking any song at random from their glorious 1979-81 run of seven consecutive hit singles gives a running commentary on 2009 Britain, from binge drinking (Stereotype), teenage pregnancy (Too Much Too Young) to knife crime (Why?)." While The Shields Gazette put the acrimony over Jerry Dammer's decision not to participate in perspective: "Many of the headlines surrounding the tour have been about founder member Jerry Dammers' refusal to take part: well, it's his loss. This wasn't so much a reunion as a celebration of a band rightly regarded as one of the best and most influential British groups of all time. The Two Tone legends were so good, and so tight, it's hard to believe it's 28 years since the original line-up disintegrated in acrimony."



Here is the full set list from the show:

'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'


Here is footage taken from a camera phone of the band's opening song 'Do The Dog' followed by 'Dawning Of A New Era'. It definitely has a 'you are there' vibe!:



Here is footage shot by Paul 'Willo' Williams of the band performing 'Too Hot':



Here is footage taken from a camera phone of the band ripping through 'Nite Klub'.



Here is footage (also taken from a camera phone) of the band performing 'Ghost Town'. The sound quality is poor, but you get a good sense of the show and the crowd.



The band also officially launched their web site yesterday to coincide with the kick-off of the tour (there are some pretty amazing tour t-shirts for sale on the site). You can still visit the ever vibrant and entertaining fan community site here to read about fan reaction to the show last night and throughout the tour.