Live 2-Tone tribute gig by Special Kinda Madness, playing The Specials and Madness, at The Drill.
Special Kinda Madness are playing The Drill on Saturday 7 November, and the night is built around a bit of a toss-up. They're a St Albans tribute band that pairs two of the biggest names in the 2-Tone era, The Specials and Madness, and they play a full set from each. The twist is that the running order is decided on the night, so you won't know which band opens until you're actually there.
There's a real 2-Tone moment behind the whole thing. On 21 July 1979, at London's Electric Ballroom, The Specials shared a bill with Madness, Dexy's Midnight Runners and The Selecter — a gig fans thought would never happen. That 1979 revolution, led by The Specials, brought ska rhythms and punk attitude to the charts with songs like 'Gangsters', 'A Message to You Rudy', 'Too Much Too Young', 'The Prince', 'One Step Beyond' and 'My Girl'. Special Kinda Madness take those two acts and put them on the same bill again, just with the order left to the night.
The venue is The Drill on Free School Lane, which opened in 1890 as a military drill hall and now gives the night its setting. It's a 14+ show, with under-16s needing to be accompanied by an adult.
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Doors open at 19:30. General admission is £22 including fees, with a £2 booking fee on top.
