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UB40 // Photo – Deb Kloeden Photography

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UB40
@ Hindley Street Music Hall,
Adelaide,
5th October 2022
(Live Review)

Review by Colin Reid

Photos by Deb Kloeden Photography

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UB40 // Photo – Deb Kloeden Photography

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Mention the band UB40 to people and you get one of 3 reactions. Either it’s ‘isn’t that the world’s biggest cover band?’ or ‘shame about the split in the band, doesn’t he just have a bunch of session musicians behind him now?’ or ‘UB40? Weird name for a band what is that all about?’

Formed in Birmingham in the late 1970’s against a back drop of massive youth unemployment and Conservative Government under Margaret Thatcher, UB40 took their name from the British unemployment benefit form. They were a mixed race; working class band who took their influences from the multicultural environment in which they grew up weaving reggae, ska, Indian beats into a pop mixture with real political bite. With songs such as “Food For Thought”, “King”, “One In Ten” and “Sing Our Own Song” etc they made social commentary and political statements that are as relevant today as when this won them a legion of fans across all ethnic groups. Somewhere along the journey the group began to add more and more covers into their repertoire including the international smashes “Red Red Wine”, “I Got You Babe” and “Can’t Help Falling In Love” all with a reggae pop arrangement.  This led to numerous features in Hollywood movie soundtracks but took them away from some of their original strengths. The years went my and as so often happens in bands, especially ones featuring brothers, differences and tensions led to a confusing split which sees two different versions of UB40 continuing on.  Ali’s version had 2 original members but with the departure of Mickey Virtue and the death of Astro last year it is now down to just him and a totally new band.

The gig was at the recently revamped Hindley Street Music Hall. The new venue looks and feels great. Stage lighting is one of the best I’ve seen and the sound is huge.  There is a big crowd in tonight, whatever they may feel about the band schism they have turned up on mass. The band’s worldwide appeal and Australia’s diverse multi-cultural nature is evident and there is a great atmosphere building.

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UB40 // Photo – Deb Kloeden Photography

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There is no opening act but rather a DJ set as the warm up. All is going well until the sound fails. After a nervous few minutes wait and the punters starting to get a little edgy sound is restored and the crowd sings along raucously to Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds’. Don’t Worry about a thing every little sound system is going to be alright indeed!

The main event kicks off with Ali and the band launching into a run of six consecutive singles, unfortunately the first 5 are all covers and it isn’t until ‘One In Ten’ is played that we get an original. ‘Here I Am’ and ‘The Way You Do The Thing You Do’ have the crowd moving and dancing happily along but “Homely Girl” and “Groovin’ (Out on Life)” seem a little lacklustre and lacking in passion from the backing band. “Cherry Oh Baby” re-engages the crowd but the band have all switched gears too fast and seems like the song is being overplayed and slightly out of time with each other. Thankfully “One In Ten” gets everything back on track, it sounds great and the crowd responds accordingly with a swell of energy.

Ali speaks warmly to the crowd. It’s great to be back in Australia; too long since we were last in Adelaide. The crowd responds accordingly, happy to have him back.  He talks about their new album that is just out and they play the title track. It is strong and catchy with pandemic related lyrics that resonate. Towards the end of the track Ali leaves the stage and the band’s reggae toaster launches into a tribute to the recently departed rap artist Coolio, who we are told was a good friend of Ali. We all sing along with the words to “Gangsta’s Paradise”.  Quite what Ali was doing on the side of the stage I’m uncertain, I could just see him lent forward with his face in a towel. Afterwards others said he was having a cigarette and a champagne but they may have been pulling my leg! 

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UB40 // Photo – Deb Kloeden Photography

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When Ali comes back they quiet bizarrely launch into a reggae version of the Prince song “Purple Rain”.  World’s No 1 cover band is starting to resemble reggae karaoke. The cover was barely saved by some outstanding work from the trumpet player but otherwise it seemed a poor choice.  The set seems to be heavily losing its way. “What Have I Done” another original from the new album was good but the rest of the stream of covers lacked passion. Interesting there was a mumbled tribute from Ali to Robbie Shakespeare from Sly and Robbie fame who recently passed away but no mention of Astro, Ali’s long-term collaborator, who is joint credited on the new album, who died last November. Ali took a second break on the side of the stage, it kind of reminded me of an AFL interchange bench just for him. The crowd around me grew restless, checking their Instagram feeds and taking selfies rather than paying attention to the band. There simply wasn’t enough stand out performances.

The set closed strongly however. There was great sincerity on Ali’s face when he sang “Guns in The Ghetto” and the set closing “Many Rivers Too Cross” was outstanding. Whatever else may have been missing from the night no one could argue that his voice was so strong on these tracks. All the cell phones in the front 4 or 5 rows were recording because it was brilliant.

After a short break the drummer returned my himself of all things to play a long drum solo.  It was bigger and more powerful than a NYE firework display but why was it there? ‘Well that was reggae as fuck’ one crowd member was heard to say sarcastically.

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UB40 // Photo – Deb Kloeden Photography

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Full band back on stage they launched into a very powerful version of the band’s very first single “Food For Thought” before dedicating “Kingston Town” to two girls from Perth who have been following the band around the country. Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling In Love” is well received before the roof is nearly blown off with a crowd voiced sing-a-long to the international smash hit “Red Red Wine”.  The band had played a full 18 track set but sadly, for me, 13 of those were covers. 

Sure, there were parts when it more than felt like some of those criticisms that are aimed at the band were true; yes, there were bits that seemed cheesy, bits where it verges into reggae karaoke or into the cruise ship diner dance and when the lack of big singles from the set list seemed to lose the audience. However, there were huge highs too. I’d defy anyone not to have a smile on their face as they add their voice to the deafening roar as the whole crowd sings along and walk out of the venue with ‘Red Red Wine’ stuck in their heads as their musical earworm.

Overall, I enjoyed the night as did most of the crowd but I didn’t love it. I’m really glad that after all these years Ali bought his version of UB40 back to Australia but I’m not sure that I would go again.

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UB40 // Photo – Deb Kloeden Photography

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UB40
featuring
ALI CAMPBELL
tour dates:

Presented by The Hour Group, Festco  and Vandemonian Touring

Hobart – Friday, 30th September – Hobart City Hall
Sydney – Saturday, 1st October – Star Events Centre
Gold Coast – Sunday, 2nd October – Promiseland Festival (Sold Out)
Adelaide – Wednesday, 5th October – Hindley Street Music Hall
Melbourne – Friday, 7th October – Margaret Court Arena
Queensland – Saturday 8 October – Sandstone Point, Bribie Island

For all ticketing details please head HERE

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UB40 // Photo – Deb Kloeden Photography

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UB40 // Photo – Deb Kloeden Photography

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Check out Deb Kloeden Photography’s full gallery of this event HERE

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Follow UB40
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter

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UB40 // Photo – Deb Kloeden Photography

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Press Release 22nd June 2022 (below) HERE

UB40
featuring
ALI CAMPBELL
are back!

For their first Australian Tour in four years

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AMNPLIFY – DB