Save the night for UB40 in NZ
We’re always treated beautifully, [New Zealand] is
a a very friendly place. — Robin Campbell, UB40 founding member and
guitarist
Iconic reggae band UB40 have announced two New Zealand shows as part of their 45th anniversary and new album UB45. The band’s freshly announced Red Red Wine Tour kicks off at the Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch on Tuesday, October 8 before heading to Auckland to play at the Trusts Arena on Thursday, October 10.
They’ll be joined on their tour by Grammy-nominated singer/ songwriter Eagle-Eye Cherry, known for his hit Save Tonight.
UB40’s new album UB45, set for release on Friday, will have the
previously released singles Champion, a reworking of Red Red Wine, now featuring the vocals of lead singer Matt Doyle, Gimme Some Kinda Sign and new singles Home and Forever True which were released last month.
Speaking to NZME, founding member and guitarist Robin Campbell said: “As soon as we finish touring, we usually wanna get into the studio and as soon as we are finished in the studio, we wanna get out on the road.
“It’s what we love doing and it’s what we’ve been doing all of our adult lives.”
Campbell told NZME that he had always loved coming to New Zealand and had always loved the reception the band gets.
“We’re always treated beautifully, it’s a very friendly place,” he said.
Campbell even admitted to NZME that he once nearly moved to Christchurch.
“I love not just coming to Auckland and playing the big show but I also love going south.
“I love Christchurch, it’s always reminded me of England decades ago, I almost moved there. I loved it that much,” he said.
Campbell said the practicalities of being in a band that lived in England did stop his plans but he hasn’t fully written off moving to Aotearoa.
“I always had half a plan that when I retired, I would move to New Zealand, but I’ve never retired, I just kept going,” he said.
Reflecting on the band’s 45th anniversary, Campbell told NZME that one of his many highlights was when the band was inducted into the Ma¯ori Nation in the 1980s.
“It was just a fantastic experience, it was such a surprise because we weren’t expecting it,” he said.
“When we arrived there were thousands of people singing to us, and it was, it was a beautiful thing that’s remained legendary for the band.”
i
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 1pm today.