Friday night at Concorde 2 confirmed to all present that the message of ska music is as relevant in Cameron’s Britain as it was in Thatcher’s. Pauline Black of The Selector set the scene for the night, dedicating the first song to “everyone who voted Con-Dem,” quickly adding “now everything is getting worse”. In the first time around, the British ska movement was a reaction to the political and social upheaval of the 70s. The idea then was to promote peace and unity, and judging from the atmosphere tonight the message hasn’t changed.
Despite the political undertones, the night was primarily a triumph for ska music and two tone. The Selector warmed the crowd with classics including ‘3-Minute Hero’ and ‘On My Radio’. Yet by the time headliners, The Beat, had finished their first song ‘Whine and Grine – Stand Down Margaret’, it was evident which act had drawn in the numbers.
The third song was greeted with particular gusto as lead singer, Ranking Roger, declared, “This one’s dedicated to all the rude boys”. Soon enough no amount of thick reverb and bouncy bass lines could drown out the audience’s recital of ‘Hands Off She’s Mine’.
In spite of their extensive catalogue of songs the ska specialists did rely on the timeless hits to inspire some old moon-stomping from younger sections of the crowd. ‘Mirror In The Bathroom’ was refurbished with Ranking’s son, Murphy Ranking Jr, rapping over the chorus to great effect. The modern twist won over the few remaining fans stood static in the corner. The dynamic between father and son gave nostalgic songs a new lease of life on stage. Skipping around together, as though choreographed, the two were in perfect harmony throughout.
The biggest applause of the night was reserved for ‘Tears Of A Clown’. Cameras flashed through the smoke on stage and the crowd skanked forward as the chorus bounced off the clammy walls. Additional highlights included an old timer exposing herself at the front, a lively rendition of ‘Rock The Casbah’ and the ‘Rankings’ stripping to the waist for the final song, ‘Jackpot’.
A lot has changed in the last thirty years, but The Beat still has the same message and Britain is still listening to it.
WORDS BY STUART MATSON
THE BEAT AT CONCORDE 2
FRIDAY 4TH MARCH 2011
