Pauline Black pays tribute to Amy Winehouse at BoomTown Fair

Boomtown festival goers were treated to the 2-tone Ska legends The Selecter featuring the inimitable vocals of Pauline Black and Arthur 'Gaps' Hendrickson, supported by an extremely talented backing band including fantastic brass section on Sunday 14th August in the 12pm afternoon slot.

It was odd scheduling for such a renowned, popular band to appear at this time. (I admit to being a big old skool fan from back in the day). Initially a small crowd gathered around the main town centre stage but as the band launched into the rhythmic fast tempo 'Gangsters vs The Selecter' (instrumental) a huge crowd began to gather dancing to the mesmeric uplifting sound.

The Selecter went on to play a host of their classic hits including '3 Minute Hero', 'Too Much Pressure', 'Carry Go Bring Come', 'James Bond', 'The Killer', 'Train to Skaville', and of course the one that the band are most famous for 'On My Radio' - huge crowd pleasers – one and all.

Pauline Black paid a moving tribute to Amy Winehouse, expressing her sorrow at the loss of such an iconic artist at such a young age. She went on to talk about how Amy had been a great advocate for Ska/2 tone music, recording an album in the genre. The Selector went on to perform a poignant version of 'Back to Black'.

The Selecter were a band of the people in the late 70's and the early 80's when they first formed, not afraid to talk about social issues affecting the people. They are still just as socially relevant in 2011. The song 'Times Hard' summed it all up and Pauline Black's delivery emphasised this sentiment perfectly. The band ended with an encore from a very appreciative crowd. The bleary eyed party animals from the night before were revived and roused by a stunning performance. The sun was shining making it even more of a magical experience. As Pauline Black commented "Afternoon bands don't normally play encores."

They are no afternoon band and never will be!!!

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