Video Find: Parklife

I've been obsessing over the live recordings of Blur from this year's Glastonbury Festival and their show from Hyde Park. Mainly what I've really enjoyed is after all these years, the amount of energy they brought. Secondly, its truly amazing to see an adult Phil Daniels on the stage giving it his all like Jimmy Cooper on the stage for Parklife. This video was from the BBC in 1994. If you get a chance to check out a video of Hyde Park or Glastonbury, do yourself a favor. Glastonbury was filmed professionally by the BBC and is floating around the net. In the meantime, you can grab this audio recording from Hyde Park on the 3rd of July 2009.

The Specials Reunite for UK Tour

The Specials on tour in the US in 1980. Photographer: Keystone/Hulton Getty

After months of speculation, the Specials have confirmed they will be reforming for a 2009 tour. Singer Terry Hall told NME that the ska legends will be reuniting next year to celebrate 30 years since they first had a UK Top 10 hit. He said: "It's the right time to [reunite]. We talked about it at 25 but we weren't together enough. Now we're all getting on and it feels comfortable again."

Hall confirmed that Neville Staple, Roddy Radiation, Sir Horace Gentleman, John Bradbury and Lynval Golding, all original members, would be taking part in the reunion. Jerry Dammers will not be involved because he "doesn't want to tour". However, Hall added: "I think he wants to do stuff ... so the door is definitely not closed."

Hints that this seminal British band would be reuniting began in March, when Hall told the BBC that the criteria for the band reforming was, "do it with dignity or don't do it at all". Both he and Specials guitarist Lynval Golding joined Lily Allen on stage at Glastonbury 2007 for a rendition of their song Blank Expression.

Hall has said he can't wait to play old favourites: "I'm looking forward to playing Ghost Town. Stereotype will also be fun and I think we might be doing Maggie's Farm too."

The Specials tour dates
Newcastle Academy (April 22)
Sheffield Academy (23)
Birmingham Academy (25, 26)
Glasgow Academy (28)
Manchester Apollo (May 3)
London Brixton Academy (6, 7)

Tickets go on sale December 11, go to www.thespecials.com for more information.

Source: The Guardian

Lily Allen & The Specials performing Gangsters at Glastonbury in 2007.


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