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Special reports

The Specials and Essential Motion

Friday May 3rd 2013

 

 Well, well, well.

So, 33 years almost to the day since The Specials played Friars Phase Three, what could they do to impress? Would they still cut it? Are they still relevant?

The answer: Yes they still cut it and yes they are still relevant. A hugely memorable gig where many there in 1980 were there in 2013. We're older, maybe wiser, but the songs are still those songs that resonated across a disaffected society that still are relevant in so many ways in today's society. Unlike 1980, we got to hear 1981's generation defining song Ghost Town ringing out at Friars. Very memorable indeed.

The lead up to this gig could not have been more exciting or anticipated. The queue in February to secure tickets was way beyond our expectations and became the biggest selling gig in Friars history in terms of tickets sold and one of the three most in demand gigs overall. It was the quickest selling date on the Specials UK tour. We do have taste in Aylesbury it must be said.

Our deep thanks to Essential Motion who stepped in at incredibly short notice to play a great set in the foyer.

We'll keep this page updated as stuff comes in as we're expecting more.

The queue for tickets on February 16th 2013

The Specials' Roddy Byers interview 2012

THE SETLISTS

The Specials:  As below

(image from special2.com website)

Essential Motion:   TBC

 THE FANS

Some of the feedback we've had!

The webmaster:

I, like so many others here tonight, saw The Specials in 1980 at Friars. One of the country's best young, dynamic and socially relevant bands at the Friars birthday party and it should have been a blast. But I came away slightly let down as it didn't feel right. I subsequently found out that the band was jaded and almost burned out. But this 2013 gig will remain in mine and so many others memories to have heard some of those classic sounds of 1978-1981. Hearing Gangsters, Blank Expression, Concrete Jungle etc performed by the guys who, like the rest of us, have grown up, got wiser and mellowed was an incredible sight. There was a reason this gig was in such demand and on May 3rd we saw what that was.

We may all have grown up, but for a while in that hall we were 30 years younger, we were teenagers again purring with excitement like we did when we first heard Gangsters played by John Peel. A remarkable gig by anyone's standards.

There is a thriving Friars community on Facebook with hundreds of members!

Here's a selection of comments:

Great set last night - Doesn't get much better than Nite Club and Little Bitch back to back

Fab, fabbity fab Specials gig

Great night last night. Thank you Friars Aylesbury . Looking forward to many more gigs to come

Thanks Dave Stopps and Friars; for a few hours we were all thirty years younger. The atmosphere was amazing, the Specials were superb. Just goes to prove what we knew all along; Friars is special, Aylesbury is special.

Thanks for a truly.wonderful.nite with The Specials. They were fantastic. Great crowd, fab atmosphere. Ghost Town was amazing :)) A dream come true for me
Fab gig last night. The specials didn't disappoint

 THE GALLERY

All pictures: Mike O'Connor and © 2013 www.aylesburyfriars.co.uk except where noted

Special thanks to James Cumpsty and Neale Wareham

A great atmosphere building up early evening

Photo: James Cumpsty

Photo: Neale Wareham

Photo: James Cumpsty

Rick, Judy and Sue of the Friars team on the merchandise stall.

Photo: Mike O'Connor

Photo: Neale Wareham

Essential Motion who played with 24 hours notice turned in a well received crowd pleasing set in the foyer.

Photo: Neale Wareham

Photo: James Cumpsty

Photo: Mike O'Connor

Photo: Mike O'Connor

Photos: Neale Wareham

Aylesbury lass Helen Doran who secured the first tickets for this gig in Two Tone mode

Photo: Mike O'Connor

Bucks TV's Richard Carr catches up with Friars Founding Fathers Adrian Roach and David Stopps

Photo: Mike O'Connor

This young lady asked me to take her photograph, so I did!

Photo: Mike O'Connor

When David announced "welcome to Friars Aylesbury" from the stage, the greeting back from the audience was the most vociferous and welcoming in Friars history.

Photo: James Cumpsty

Photo: Neale Wareham

We've waited 33 years - The Specials in full flow.

Photo: James Cumpsty

Photo: Neale Wareham

Photo: James Cumpsty

Photo: James Cumpsty

Photo: James Cumpsty

Photo: Neale Wareham

Photo: Neale Wareham

Photo: James Cumpsty

Photo: James Cumpsty

A seriously up for it crowd!

Photo: James Cumpsty

Photo: Neale Wareham

It was rocking in the balconies too!

Photo: Mike O'Connor

Photo: James Cumpsty

Photo: James Cumpsty

Photo: James Cumpsty

Photo: Neale Wareham

Photo: Neale Wareham

Photo: Neale Wareham

Photo: Neale Wareham

Photo: James Cumpsty

After the gig The Specials received a Heroes Award for many reasons, not least the astonishing demand unparalleled on any other date on this current May 2013 tour. Here is Horace Panter.

David Stopps and Lynval Golding

Photo: Mike O'Connor

Photo: Mike O'Connor

John Bradbury

Photo: Mike O'Connor

Terry Hall

Photo: Mike O'Connor

 

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