80s revival ‘an antidote to manufactured pop’

A member of pop group UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey has hailed the comeback of 1980s music as a welcome antidote to the age of “manufactured” music.

Ali Campbell – who now fronts the separated arm of the original UB40 line-up following a fall-out with brothers Robin and Duncan – will join some of the decade’s biggest artists for BBC Children In Need’s 1980s themed concert.

Taking a break from his global tour to make the October event in London’s Wembley Arena, he said: “It has been a bit of a wilderness for pop music for the last decade because it’s been controlled by Simon Cowell and Syco records.

“In the 80s to say you were a 0 Campbell has described the pop scene as a ‘wilderness’ manufactured band was like a swear word, but with the advent of reality programmes these bands have become the order of the day.

“You get more for your money with an 80s band, they’ve done their apprenticeships in pubs and clubs, and haven’t been thrust into the limelight with one hit.”