Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Big hitters headlining outdoor gigs
Two of the biggest names in pop are to perform at gigs in Canterbury next summer.
Reggae legends UB40 are headlining a treble bill at Kent’s Spitfire Ground on June 3, which will also feature Level 42 and The Original Wailers.
And on July 7, Olly Murs will take to the same stage as part of his 20-date open air tour.
Tickets have just gone on sale for concerts at the ground, which can accommodate about 10,000 people.
UB40 will feature its newlyreformed original line-up of Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue – backed by The Original Wailers, who are revered as one of the best reggae bands in the world.
Fans can expect many of their best loved songs, including their three chart-toppers Red Red Wine, I Got You Babe and I Can’t Help Falling In Love with You.
Ali said: “We cannot wait to perform for all our fans in Kent next summer and to pull out all the favourites that they love the most.
Level 42 and Mark King are one of the most successful British bands of the 1980s, with 14 studio albums, seven live albums, the Sirens EP, and six compilation albums.
They have also had 18 top 40 singles, including Lessons in Love, Something About You, Leaving Me Now, Running in the Family and Hot Water, and have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.
Frontman Mark said: “To share the stage with such an iconic band as UB40 is an opportunity we could not refuse and we are looking forward to seeing everyone singing and dancing at Canterbury.”
The Original Wailers, including guitarist Al Anderson, will be performing classic Bob Marley and the Wailers songs.
Olly Murs, who found fame on The X Factor, has gone on to be a chart-topping success, selling 10 million records worldwide and has just released his latest album 24 HRS.
He announced his 2017 tour during an appearance on the Graham Norton Show on BBC1 on Friday.
“I am thrilled to play at The Spitfire Ground in Kent,” he said. “Outdoor shows are so much fun and I am looking forward to performing my biggest songs on my biggest outdoor tour.”
Kent Cricket CEO Jamie Clifford said: “There’s a Caribbean flavour to our 2017 schedule with the FGS Plant tour to Antigua followed by the visit of the West Indies to Canterbury, so we’re delighted to welcome the most popular UK reggae act of all time.
“UB40 and the Original Wailers will continue our commitment to bringing big acts to Kent and the addition of Level 42 will create a festival atmosphere.”
Tickets for the Ub40/level 42 gig cost £35, or £50 for the platinum enclosure while Olly Murs costs £39.50 or £55 platinum closure, all via www. ticketmaster.co.uk.