Gallagher: Specials gig will live forever

Music legend Noel Gallagher described The Specials’ homecoming gig at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry one of the best concerts he has been to.

The Oasis guitarist was among the 8,300 sell-out crowd when the legendary ska band took to the stage in the Jaguar Exhibition Hall.

Radio 5 Live 606 host and presenter of BBC2 Sunday programme Something for the Weekend Tim Lovejoy and England rugby coach Martin Johnson joined The Specials fans as they played in the city for the first time in 30 years after Coventry band The Ripps had provided the support.

Noel, who had returned from the band’s South America tour the previous day, was shown the stadium bowl where Oasis will perform on Tuesday, July 7, by marketing director Liz Cooper before watching the band perform.

He enthused: “It’s cool. It’s good to have the stadium so close to where the gig is.

“That was one of my top five gigs ever.”

Terry Hall, Neville Staple, Lynval Golding, Roddy Radiation, John Bradbury and Sir Horace Gentleman produced a storming set as they performed all their hits from 1979 to 1981.

Daniel Gidney, chief executive of the Ricoh Arena, said he was delighted the venue had been able to bring The Specials back to their home city.

“We have had some great nights in the Jaguar Exhibition Hall but this was the best yet,” he said.

“Coventry certainly wasn’t a Ghost Town as The Specials played all their memorable hits from a time when they ruled the musical airwaves.

“Their fans have been waiting three decades for this and they entered the spirit by wearing pork pie hats and Fred Perry polo shirts.

“This anniversary tour has taken the band all over the UK but this was the gig that everyone had been waiting to see – and neither The Specials or their fans went home disappointed.”


PICTURE CAPTION: The Specials perform on stage at the Ricoh Arena during their sell-out gig