The most wonderful part of a concert is when an audience is mixed with all sorts of people of all ages and cultures, this was our Friday night at Brooklyn Steel as we danced away the night with The Specials. If you’ve had the feeling of comfort and warmth at a concert, that’s what home feels like and that’s exactly what I felt seeing The Specials – a band that has survived through the test of time and still has the jovial spirit and energy as when they first began as a band.
The beloved British ska band formed in the late-70’s and have maintained a robust catalog of albums and songs that well- known by many and familiar to some as they have been featured in a wide array of Guy Ritchie films, that’s if you ever recall That Guy Thursday on The Movie Channel – my absolute favorite.
Seeing their show just proved how amazing music can be at bringing people together and also proved that the audience had a deep affection for the band, as I saw all of the crowd singing along to their music. The way that this band’s music speaks volumes to the crowd is so meaningful and beautiful in its own way. Overhearing a comment from the crowd, created the most Cheshire cat-like smile I’ve ever had,
“I can’t believe I used to listen to them when I was 14 and here I am now!!”
They also recently released their highly anticipated new album, Encore, the first new music the band has released together since 1980 through Island Records. The album’s arrival has been welcomed with widespread critical acclaim and an acknowledgment that The Specials’ music is every bit as vital and relevant today as it was 40 years ago. The 10-song Encore includes singles “Vote For Me,” “The 10 Commandments” and “Embarrassed By You” which continue the band’s tradition of biting social commentary.
They’re widely known for their catchy hit singles,”Gangsters”, “Ghost Town”,”A Message To You, Rudy”, “Too Much Too Young” and “Rat Race” but The Specials are best known for their messages of racial harmony which is integral to their music.
In addition to that, the city of Los Angeles has declared May 29th “The Specials Day.”
which is definitely earned by them as they hosted the Parkland High School students and parents at their Brooklyn Steel show. They invited some of the teachers and parents from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Artist and activist Manuel Oliver, whose 17-year-old son Joaquin was one of the 17 students murdered in the mass shooting last year, gave a thought-provoking and sentimental speech to the crowd at the show.
The band also incorporated the Instrument of Hope, a trumpet crafted of bullet casings by survivors of the school shooting, into their sold-out performance which is such a fierce but heartbreaking thing to do that not only creates awareness but creates solidarity among the families that have unfortunately lost their loved ones and create a connection to their fans. The band flew Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students Sawyer Garrity and Andrea Pena, the writers of Shine, and their parents to Brooklyn to attend the concert and meet with the band prior to the show.
Seeing them live and reading what they’ve done philanthropically, it’s no wonder that The Special are indeed really special and will win a part of your heart through their actions and through their ardent music.
Pics from the show below:
