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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 |
