Reggae legends UB40 lined up for summer gig
BRITISH icons UB40 are bringing their unique blend of reggae and pop hits to Victoria Park in Southport on July 16.
Fronted by founding members Ali Campbell and Astro, and backed by their formidable seven-piece band, UB40 are building on a legacy that dates back over four decades.
James Penny from M&B, who is promoting the show, said: “We are so excited to be bringing UB40 featuring Ali Campbell and Astro to Victoria Park. After the year we’ve all had what could be better than a day of reggae under the sun.
“UB40 will take you on a musical journey with hit after hit. So get ready to come and dance, laugh and enjoy a full day of good vibes. Let’s celebrate finally getting our freedom back, this will be an epic party in Southport!”
Alan Adams, general manager at Victoria Park, said: “We are delighted to host and support this fantastic event at Victoria Park, home of the famous Southport Flower Show. This is just what we need to kickstart the return of amazing music events to our wonderful town!”
UB40 are one of the UK’s most treasured British music institutions, achieving three UK Number Ones – Red, Red Wine, I Got You Babe (ft. Chrissie Hynde) and I Can’t Help Falling In Love with You – not to mention 17 Top 10 singles. The band sold 70 million records as they took their smooth reggae and pop blend to all corners of the globe with hits such as Cherry Oh Baby, Kingston Town and Come Back Darling.
Among the accolades, the band was nominated for the BRIT Award for Best British Group in 1984 and the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album four times between 1987 and 2006. The band’s success is, however, not limited to the past with their last album 2018’s A Real Labour of Love peaking at number 2 in the UK charts.
During lockdown, UB40 also hit the headlines when Ali and Astro reassembled the touring band remotely to record a lockdown single – a poignant cover of the late Bill Withers’ Lean On Me, in aid of NHS Charities Together.
The release was accompanied by a socially distanced home video that featured guests Suggs, Jools Holland, Sir Cliff Richard, Shaun and Bez of the Happy Mondays, Big Narstie, Phil Daniels, Scarlett Moffat and a cast of key workers.
They are now looking forward to getting back on the road in 2021 with a band comprising bassist Colin McNeish, guitarist Winston Delandro, keyboardist Michael Martin, drummer Paul Slowly, backing singer Matt Hoy and a brass section of trumpeter Colin Graham and saxophonist Winston Rose.
The iconic band is celebrating 40 years of hits when they hit the road next year. And while a handful of songs from the forthcoming album will feature alongside classic UB40 hits, Ali is keen to include older numbers such as King (about the legacy of American Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King) and One In Ten (about unemployment in the UK) that are, unfortunately, as timely today as when they were first sung in 1980 and 1981.
UB40 are supported on the show by The Dualers, heralded as Britain’s finest ska and reggae band. The Dualers are a nine-piece Jamaican rhythm and blues band from South East London.
They first hit the headlines when the single Kiss on the Lips entered into the UK top 30 despite no industry or professional backing while the follow up single Truly Madly featured in full on the Hollywood blockbuster Fools Gold. Their success continued with a number of album releases, several top 40 chart singles and an ever increasing large worldwide fan base behind them.
Tickets go on general sale on March 16 via www.easyticketing.co.uk. Customers can sign up for the pre-sale from today.