The Specials last ever filmed concert (at Coventry Cathedral) on Sky Arts at 9pm today

 

TONIGHT!

The last-filmed concert by leading Ska-band The Specials, before the sudden and tragic passing of lead-singer Terry Hall in 2022, is to air on Sky Arts 20th December at 9pm.

Returning to their hometown of Coventry, the band performed all their greatest hits from the past 40 years to a sell-out crowd in the beautiful ruins of Coventry Cathedral.

It was a night to remember and marked a monumental moment for the band,returning to the city where two-tone was born.

Songs performed include Ghost Town, Rat Race, Nite Klub, Vote For Me, We Sell Hope and The Lunatics (Have Taken Over The Asylum).

This special televised concert follows the Sky Original ‘Record On: The Specials – A Message to You,’ which aired earlier this year on Sky Arts. This behind-the-scenes film with the band is available to watch now on @skyarts and @nowtv.

The Specials: Live From Coventry Cathedral airs 20 December at 9pm on Sky Arts, Freeview and NOW.

Episode 3 of the Hit The Road Jack Podcast interviews 'Women of the Mod Revival'

 

Joanne Earl and Jackie Donald (nee Earl)

Ani de la Prida

Nicky Crancher

Katherine Hanrahan

Paula Binni

Diane Cracknell

Interviews

Susan Avery and Diane Lyons

Graphic Design Izzy Avery

Music

The Purple Hearts - Frustration 1979

The Scene - Looking For Love 1983

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/new-episode-17-10-2024-hit-the-road-jack/id1782798337?i=1000680884122

Debut PHK single, 'Sanctimonious Sue', to be released on 7" by Intervallum Music in January 2025 featuring an original drawing by Makin' Time's Neil Clitheroe

 

‘Sanctimonious Sue’ is Paul Hooper-Keeley’s debut solo single, released under his PHK moniker. 

A singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, he has had releases in each of the last five decades in bands such as The Threads (Unicorn Records/Prism/Twist/Detour/Biff Bang Pow/Intervallum Music), The Deep Six (Heavy Soul Records) and The Mark Three (F.A.B. Records).

This debut solo single (Paul playing everything on both tracks apart from drums) is taken from the forthcoming PHK album, ‘You Should All Be Ashamed Of Yourselves’; his songwriting style relying to a large degree on societal observation and injustice, certain questionable characters and an element of challenge and protest.

'Sanctimonious Sue' will be released in late January by Intervallum Music (INT003) on 7" vinyl.

Following this, Paul returns to the recording studio in January with The Mark Three to record the follow-up album to their 'Paisley Paradise' debut, and then plays 'live' dates with The Threads at Mods Mayday 2025 at 229 The Venue, London, and a Lincolnshire homecoming show at The Courthouse, Skegness, on 17th May (also featuring a Q&A session with The Jam's Rick Buckler). 

Expect some PHK solo dates to be announced soon too.

60-Years of Small Faces on 8th March at 229 The Venue, London, starring Small Fakers and Steve Brookes

 

MODS MAYDAY 2025 line up announced

 

Mods Mayday, the essential day out in any Mods calendar, will be taking over 229 in central London (opposite Great Portland Street Tube Station) for an all day extravaganza over 4 indoor rooms and 1 outside space. 

Room 1 features live performances from Secret Affair, Purple Hearts, The Style Councillors, New Street Adventure, Rhoda Dakar, Sharp Class + a special guest artist to be announced in 2025. 

Room 2 features live performances from Squire, Big Boss Man, Small World, The Threads, Laurie Wright, Mark McGounden & The Deep Six and direct from Italy - Gli Statuto. 

Room 3 - Eddie Piller's Modcast room features Q&A's with Trevor Laird ('Ferdy' from 'Quadrophenia') and Mark Wingett ('Dave' from 'Quadrophenia') 

Room 4 will be 'Our Favourite Shop' featuring exclusive merchandise from all of the artists along with record and clothing stalls. 

On top of this we have an outdoor area with Mod DJ's and a bar to enjoy the 2024 summer weather in between artists.

BREAKING NEWS: The Threads will be playing Mods Mayday 2025 at 229 The Venue, London, on 4th May

 

Tickets are available from: -

https://www.seetickets.com/event/mods-mayday-2025/229/2965419?fbclid=IwY2xjawGq7kRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTBw6PGqfzXO_W6IHHoaLxi2RF9SbrU0ZX3wud8o5NzAFFpj8JeB5uD14g_aem_6x7qpv4fg0_R6Jv8B5Mrbw

65 Bars Modernist Weekender at The Courthouse in Skegness on 23 & 24 May featuring The Britalian Job & Ronnie Londons

 

The Threads reform to play homecoming show in Skegness on 17th May with The Jam's Rick Buckler

 

THE POPPERMOST RELEASE NEW SINGLE “I DON’T WANT TO KNOW” (DIGITAL DOWNLOAD + STREAMING) RELEASED FRIDAY OCTOBER 4TH

 

This is a great piece of Beatlesque pop from Glasgow's The Poppermost (Joe Kane) influenced by the Fab Four's 1966 Revolver period - a lovely song with great vocal harmonies and lots of backwards guitars.

It's digital download + streaming only but well worth checking out.

You can find them at facebook.com/thepoppermost and on instagram at @thepoppermostband

Pauline Black: 'A 2-Tone Story' - A film by Jane Mingay

 

Buy tickets for Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story | BFI London Film Festival 2024

January Blues Festival 2025 presents NINE BELOW ZERO 'Live at the Marquee' 45th Anniversary Concert + special guests: MICKEY 'STIX' BURKEY (Drums) PETER CLARK (Bass)

 

Nine Below Zero formed in late 1979 from the ashes of Stan's Blues Band. An electrifying live group, the band chose to release their debut album 'Live at the Marquee' (A&M Records, 1980) to showcase the band's considerable talent. 'Live at the Marquee' featured mainly covers of Blues classics from artists such as Otis Rush, Muddy Waters,& Freddie King along with some Nine Below Zero originals. Over the years it has become widely acknowledged as one of the finest live albums ever recorded.

 

Nine Below Zero are one of the UK's finest Rhythm 'n' Blues groups. Named after the famous Sonny Boy Williamson song, Nine Below Zero have shared the stage with The Kinks, The Who, Chuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Squeeze, From The Jam and many more.

 

Dennis Greaves - Guitar/Vocals

Mark Feltham - Harmonica/Vocals

Anthony Harty - Bass

Sonny Greaves - Drums

+ special guests

Mickey 'Stix' Burkey - Drums

 Peter Clark - Bass