The specials

[kev1664]

Could they be NME/R1 headliners?

[thomasowen]

Could be, I would be surprised though. Don't really suit it do they? I can't remember the last time and 80's act was booked.

[crozbie15]

Could be, I would be surprised though. Don't really suit it do they? I can't remember the last time and 80's act was booked.

[gr4h4m]

Could they be NME/R1 headliners?

[fat_man_joe]

didn't manics win the same award last year?

[gr4h4m]

They won it in 08, and subsequently played in 08, so I certainly think it's a plausible reason to suspect them

[VCK]

Could be, I would be surprised though. Don't really suit it do they? I can't remember the last time and 80's act was booked.

[eFestivals]

I can't remember the last time and 80's act was booked.

you'd maybe have a point if The Specials were an eighties act.

[thomasowen]

you'd maybe have a point if The Specials were an eighties act.

Edited February 1, 2010 by thomasowen

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

A) They may have formed in the 70's and released some stuff but I think most people remember them as an eighties band, thats when they had their biggest hits.

B.) My memory doesn't stretch back that far anyway

C) My point stands - I can't remember the last time they booked an 80's act. Metallica or The Fall are the only two that come to mind.

[VCK]

Four "80's acts" from last year: Deftones, Ian Brown, Radiohead, Faith No More...

[thomasowen]

The only one of those who released anything in the 80s is Faith No More?

[rockinthecasbah]

Birmingham Academy on their first reunion tour was one of the best gigs I've ever attended. Brilliant performance, and incredible atmosphere as well. Would be an excellent booking, but personally I'm not too bothered, as I'll always have the memory of how good they were that night.

[beau1]

A) They may have formed in the 70's and released some stuff but I think most people remember them as an eighties band, thats when they had their biggest hits.

B.) My memory doesn't stretch back that far anyway

C) My point stands - I can't remember the last time they booked an 80's act. Metallica or The Fall are the only two that come to mind.

[rexclark]

Could be, I would be surprised though. Don't really suit it do they? I can't remember the last time and 80's act was booked.

[RichieSpenno]

Missed them at Glasto last year so I'd love them to be at R/L.

[olly!olly!olly!]

my two favourite gigs of 2009 was the specials at brixton academy and then the specials at hammersmith apollo

them playing will make up for the inevitably poor headliners (judging from the rumours, except REM obv)

[Vieuphoria]

didn't manics win the same award last year?

[olly!olly!olly!]

No actually the Manics won the NME Godlike Genius award in 2008. The Cure won the award in 2009. This award that The Specials are winning in a different award to this.

[Vieuphoria]

I think its pretty much the same award but with a less gay name

[tomdsjames]

Pixies was probably the last band from the 80s to headline. The majority of their work was released in the 80s.

[scottt]

Green Days first album was released in the 80s. They formed in 1988

[tomdsjames]

Was it not released in 1990?

[tweemo freak]

Its great that they are getting the award cuz they did contribute a whole lot to music. They would be ok at Reading And Leeds though i prefer it as a modern centered festival, which is, essentialy, what it is.

Edited February 2, 2010 by tweemo freak

[scottt]

1990 was a combination of a couple of vinyls they'd previously released in 88 and 89