The latest incarnation of The Specials extended touring band shuffled onto the vast stage of The Usher Hall to a rapturous welcome before launching into The Staple Singers’ Freedom Highway.
Terry Hall’s trademark deadpan delivery contrasting in the best possible way with the rich vocals of Hannah Hu. Lynval Golding is a bundle of energy from the off and Horace Panter stalks the stage like a bass playing groove enforcer, making sure everyone is on point. It’s a promising start, but a false one.
As is the case with any ‘heritage’ act, The Specials are a victim of their own back catalogue. Their 2 Tone zenith was part of a scene that the vast majority of this audience have invested much of their personal musical heritage in. Mediocre covers of classic protest songs just don’t do it, no matter how poignant the sentiment behind it. Golding’s strained cover of Get Up Stand Up being a case in point.
It seems to take a while for the band (which includes none other than Steve Craddock of Ocean Colour Scene) to switch into the gear Panter was looking for earlier. Nite Klub is the jump start the Rude boys and girls have been wating for and looking down to the ground floor bouncing along in mass of synchronised skanking is a sight to behold.
‘Do the Dog’ takes it up another gear, elbows are out, more ’Rude Boy’ chants and we’re straight into ‘Too Much Too Young’, ‘Gangsters’ and ‘Monkey Man’. The set is the backbone of every ska night since 1979 because the songs are timeless, not only because they make you want to get up and dance but the themes of racism, social injustice are as relevant now as they were then. Finishing the main set with Chip Taylor’s ‘Fuck All the Perfect People’ seemed like the perfect full stop.
‘Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town?’ Until a few weeks ago this would have struck a chord with everyone here but thankfully we’re here, at an actual gig as unmistakable intro of ‘Ghost Town’ echoes around the auditorium.
‘You’re Wandering Now’ closes out the evening with Terry Hall conducting a sing along until he’s happy with participation levels. He needn’t worry, everyone is aboard on this drive down memory lane.
Words and pictures: Calum Mackintosh @ayecandyphotography