Friday, January 29, 2010

Whap'pen, Specials?

US ska fans, particularly those in the New York City area, are wondering why Ticketmaster no longer lists The Specials' show at Terminal 5 that is/was scheduled to take place on April 21. Tickets were supposed to go on sale today, and many of us were ready to punch in our credit card numbers for a chance to see the band. What gives?

Are they still planning to play a gig in NYC?

There is no information on The Specials site or anywhere on the web as to whether or not this show is still on or if it will be rescheduled (and it makes you wonder if they are still headed to Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 16).

C'mon, Specials, the fans deserve better than this!

12 comments:

Kames Jelly said...

inquiring minds NEED to know! Im gonna be really bummed if i dont get to see the specials. i had made peace with it years ago that i would probably never see them, then i was given the chance, then it was taken away abruptly.

Unknown said...

Disappointing. Reminds of several years of Desmond Dekker tours getting announced and cancelled in rapid succession.

ReadJunk said...

Have a feeling it's just been pushed back a week or so. I think it will still happen. Or maybe it's just wishful thinking.

Steve from Moon said...

ReadJunk: I think a NYC gig will eventually take place (actually it is better for me personally if it's not on 4/21), I just think that it is kind of shabby to announce the show, then pull it, and have no news for the fans.

I realize that issues may need to be ironed out/resolved, but if the gig is not 100% on when you are ready to make the announcement, it's best not to promote it until it is rock solid. In this context, there is nothing worse than disappointing the fans...

Bob: Bad Manners and Prince Buster also come to mind, too (even though I love 'em both!).

ReadJunk said...

I think that was the fault of Bowery Presents for prematurely announcing it. Or something sudden came up and that's what happen. That's what it seems. 4/21 is still open on their calendars though but they are bookend by other crappy bands so if it is that date, it will only be 1 night at that venue. And t5 sucks anyway, I'd rather have it at Roseland or Nokia. The sound sucks at T5, and the sightlines are awful.

ReadJunk said...

Actually, scratch that. no shows T5 before 4/21 yet

Marco On The Bass said...

My source in the UK says the band's management has become paranoid about when they announce shows and reports that a talkative band member was 'bollocked' for saying they were playing live on the BBC last week. I agree with ReadJunk that its likely the Bowery that jumped the gun on announcing the show. The latest I've heard is that tickets will go on sale nect week. Either way not a goos start for the band here in the US.

Steve from Moon said...

Marco:

Thanks for the info--though I'm not sure it's all about the Bowery jumping the gun. There is an article in Billboard about the mini-tour that the Bowery certainly didn't place (http://www.billboard.com/news/the-specials-to-make-u-s-return-on-fallon-1004061469.story#/news/the-specials-to-make-u-s-return-on-fallon-1004061469.story). The Specials' management definitely had a hand in promoting this date, the Fallon show, etc., which leads me to believe that something else went down between the time everything was announced and a few days ago...

All said, I'm eager to see what transpires next week!

Thanks.

Steve

PS: Somebody let me know about the AmEx pre-sale when it happens!

ReadJunk said...

Awesome info, it's probably all of those things above haha.

i'll keep my eyes open for pre-sales n such. I wish I had AM EX card for these type of things. My girlfriend's Dad has a card from them though haha.

Adam Coozer said...

Dagnabbit, I really wanted to see a band 30 years after their heyday perform their greatest hits, 90% of which are covers from 45 years ago!

ReadJunk said...

Whatever Adam, don't you have some wussy girl band to go see? haha

Steve from Moon said...

Adam:

I love how you keep things in perspective for us! (And are always stirring up the pot!)

Steve