The Specials In L.A.! - Sell out crowd greets the band with 30 years of pent up excitement (and aggression!)

Reports of the The Specials first live show in the U.S. featuring most of the original line-up are slowly filtering in. Rolling Stone Magazine had a thorough review of the show last night at Club Nokia. The other good news is that Neville Staple was back on stage after missing the band's performance on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon earlier in the week.

Based on the RS review, it sounds like the pent up wait and excitement at the band's return may have gotten the better of the crowd who true to their L.A. punk roots began pushing and shoving one another and stage diving to the annoyance of Terry Hall: By the fourth song, “Its Up To You,” the crowd had grown unruly in their excitement — a little too authentic to the spirit of the original punks. “If you spit anymore, I’ll dive down and break your head,” Hall exclaimed with brimming vitriol at the start of the fourth song, “Up To You”; the rough atmosphere continued, however, with fights breaking out sporadically and the stage repeatedly invaded by audience members. Then again, the hectic vibes radiating through the venue proved this was no mere nostalgia trip: it only reflected the continued significance of the music’s relentless riddims and inner-city tension.

Here is video of the band performing 'Monkey Man' from the show:





Here was the set list for the show. Nothing unexpected, but nice to see 'Friday Night, Saturday Morning' which is a favorite of mine.

“Do The Dog”
“(Dawning Of A) New Era”
“Gangsters”
“It’s Up To You”
“Monkey Man”
“Rat Race”
“Hey, Little Rich Girl”
“Blank Expression”
“Doesn’t Make It Alright”
“Stupid Marriage”
“Concrete Jungle”
“Friday Night, Saturday Morning”
“Stereotype/Stereotypes, Pt. 2″
“Man at C & A”
“A Message To You, Rudy”
“Do Nothing”
“Little Bitch”
“Nite Klub”
“Too Much Too Young”
“You’re Wondering Now”

Encore:
“Ghost Town”
“Enjoy Yourself (It’s Later Than You Think)”

More reviews and reports as they trickle in.