COVENTRY’S greatest band The Specials have announced their highly anticipated hometown gigs to celebrate 40 years of 2-Tone – to be staged at the cathedral ruins.
The legendary group had previously announced a UK and European tour without Coventry dates, and on Monday released their comeback album ‘Encore’.
The iconic backdrop of the cathedral ruins will play host to the 2-Tone pioneers on Wednesday July 10 and July 11 this year.
Coventry is leading the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the formation of The Specials and the legendary 2-Tone record label in the city in 1979.
It is also 10 years since the band reformed and played a selection of city shows harking back to the glory years of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The prospect of Coventry gigs being added to the tour has been the city’s worst kept secret for weeks.
Despite some media speculation that Coventry may be missing out, it is not the first time Coventry gigs have been belatedly announced for more recent Specials tours.
The historic outdoor venue is a coup for the city and the band in the run up to Coventry City of Culture 2021.
The Specials appeared at the cathedral earlier today to announce the dates and host photoshoots.
Only three of the original seven members remain – lead vocalist Terry Hall, bassist Horace Panter and vocalist and guitarist Lynval Golding. They are supported by long-time Specials keyboardist Nikolaj Torp Larsen.
Back in the day, The Specials had seven hit singles including two number ones and two hit albums as well as several sell-out tours.
Their 10 new songs on the album include the traditional 2-Tone fusion of ska, reggae and punk – with commentary on contemporary issues such as political apathy and distrust of the ruling classes.
The band is famed for describing the state of the divided nation through the Thatcher years in the 1980s, especially with number one single Ghost Town.
But the band members have conceded in recent TV appearances society remains as divided today, which is reflected in the new album.
Horace said: “Scary isn’t it? We don’t have to preach at all – although I don’t think we ever did anyway.
“The songs are relevant – but then I always say injustice is timeless.
He added: “We are three very different people, but you put us together and we become the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band in the world, as far as I’m concerned. Something remarkable happens.”
Terry reflected on their new song ‘Vote For Me’ – which features the lyrics ‘If you vote for me do you promise/To be upright, decent and honest/To have our best interests at heart?’
He said: “It’s about the idea of voting – can you be bothered? And if you are bothered, what are you voting for?
“I can’t get my head round Trump as an American president – or Theresa May dancing to Abba as everything crumbles around her.
“It’s just nuts. And very little has changed.”
The song was intended as a follow up to Ghost Town, and he added: “That was written in the Reagan era, where you think that world politics can’t get any worse. But now it is worse… surreally worse.”
The band members said they had left the time of disagreements and break-ups behind and united to deliver something true to their original message. Neville Staple and Roddy Radiation were recent departures.
Lynval wrote the song BLM (Black Lives Matter) opening up about his Jamaican father’s arrival in the UK on the Windrush, and his family’s experience of systemic racism.
Lynval said: “I’m aware our work has been out there for forty years and I’m so grateful for what we’ve done, I pinch myself sometimes.
“I can pat myself on the back now, and say ‘Well done,’ because that’s what my father says to me.”
