Winners of this year’s Outstanding Contribution Award at the Shockwaves NME Awards last month, The Specials will headline the spectacular Shockwaves NME Awards Big Gig at The Royal Albert Hall on Monday 29 March. The Specials’ performance is one of ten exclusive shows marking the 10th year of Roger Daltrey’s annual concerts for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Famed for their distinctive style and porkpie hats, a trend that is still copied today, the band had a succession of Top 10 singles including the 1980’s classic "Too Much Too Young" and unemployment-themed anthem "Ghost Town". The Specials made a welcome return in 2009 to mark their 30th anniversary and played 33 sold out shows in the UK to over 140,000 fans as well as becoming a hit of the festival season.
Krissi Murison, NME Editor said: "There are few bands you can truly call revolutionary, but The Specials are certainly one of them. After 30 years of entertaining and inspiring in equal measure, it is an honour to have them both at the NME Awards and headlining the Big Gig."
