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The road to reunion has been hard fraught with problems, but that all faded away when Coventry’s finest lit up the huge stage with their superb brand of ska music.

Back in 1979, The Specials combined dance with racial awareness, and got thousands of men dancing. Well the dancing was still in evidence, as was the very essence of the bands political backbone, that seeked to unite black and white.

Very Special guests notice

As the rain began to fall again, the main stage echoed with the sound of Jerusalem, complete with a chilling voice-over. Pretty much making the point that 30 years on, nothing much has changed and this band and their political messages are still as relevant now as they were then.

Gangsters

It was followed by Gangsters, and he presto, history was made, and the boys were back together after over a quarter of a century. The superb set was stacked around their first classic album, with Rat Race and Too Much Too Young thrown in for good measure (no Ghost Town though). 

I got my first taste of the set when I attended a very secret production rehearsal four days before the gig. Once I got the inane smile of my face, it became evident that not only had the years been kind to our boys, it had also contributed to their ongoing musicianship. Back in 1979, they were still learning their trade, nearly 30 years on and they have their musical craft well and truly nailed.

Back together

Tight as ever

Back to Bestival and despite being impressive in the rehearsal, tonight they were even better, tight as it gets, All pretty much based around John Bradbury’s unique drumming style and Horace Panter’s dynamic basslines.. So while Roddy and Lynval are taking great care of the guitar parts, it’s left to Neville Staple and Terry Hall to add their vocal magic on top of it all, before new keyboard man Nikolij adds some harmony to the mix.

By the time we get to the last song (Your Wondering Now), its pretty evident that, this is no cheap gimmick of a comeback, it’s all for real, and as the huge crowd continue the shout for more, there’s a huge feeling of accomplishment and job well done.

Lynval Golding and Phil Jupitus

Phil Jupitus and Simon Jordan

Backstage celebrity fans Simon Jordan and Phill Jupitus are Just as ecstatic as the band are, though no one could beat the smile of Lynval Golding.

For it was Lynval that nurtured the reunion dream for the last five years. “I’m sorry that our first gig was not a homecoming in Coventry”, said the band's rhythm guitarist, "but I’m hoping that we are able to get the guys to play the Godiva Festival next year, and that would be some kind of homecoming."

Sounds good to me, now that’s what I call a Dawning of a New Era, bring it on.