The Selecter, led by Pauline Black and Arthur “Gaps” Hendrickson took to the stage on Saturday night at the Brook to promote their new album, Subculture.

Opening for the band was London-based all-female outfit The Tuts, who delivered a blend of youthful energy combined with punk girl power.

From the get-go, Pauline, Gaps and the band engaged with the audience and had them mesmerised.

Opening with Avenger, the Selecter began to serve up 90 minutes of what can only be described as pure Ska heaven.

Among the fans at the sold-out venue were many who had been following the band through its transitions over the past 36 years.

Interspersed with classics such as Three Minute Hero and Too Much Pressure, Selecter played five songs from their soon-to-be released studio album, Subculture.

Breakdown, a true reggae workout, evoked memories of The Specials’ Ghost Town and instantly transported fans back to the early 80s where many began their love affair with Ska.

This well seasoned band continues to evolve with fresh material, and knows how to keep the fans coming back for more.

It Never Worked Out, Pauline told the audience, is about unrequited love, whereas Box Fresh is about where the Selecter are right now.

The Selecter proved that it’s not just the same old show. 

By introducing new material, the band showed that they are committed to remaining at the forefront of the industry, addressing issues that matter, such as sexism and racism. 

Before the show I had the opportunity to chat with the band. 

I just had to ask – what keeps you so young, Pauline? Black replied: “Singing – singing keeps you young.”

 From the way the crowd sang along to all the classic tracks as well as welcoming the new, we’d like to hope that her passion rubs off on us all, and that we’ll still be around to be inspired by the Selecter for may years to come.

  • Review by Dawn Fletcher-Park.