ShareUB40 Featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey performing at Sherwood Pines Nottinghamshire on Sunday 24th June 2018.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
The familiar brass sounds of UB40 rang out amongst the trees last night, heralding the final night of fabulous music at Sherwood Pines, and Ali, Astro and Mickey made it a night to remember.
But starting the party was Radio Riddler, a reggae band formed by Brian Fast Leiser and Frank Benbini of Fun Lovin’ Criminals fame who after admitting they are massive Prince fans, put their own reggae slant on the likes of a perfectly acceptable When Doves Cry and Purple Rain.
Playing before a much smaller crowd than previous nights, UB40 hit the spot from the off with a set list that included many of the bands well known hits and some of this incarnation of UB40’s own songs.
Opener Here I Am Baby (Come And Take Me) had the crowd immediately on their feet, and it was hard to keep still when front man Campbell delivered the likes of Wear You To The Ball, Version Girl and Just Another Girl, all ably supported by a fantastic eight piece band.
Homely Girl had everyone singing along whilst 1 In 10 took us right back to 1981. With Campbell content to let Astro do much of the between song banter, Astro did have to take a step back to humbly acknowledged the crowds birthday wishes.
There was hit after hit, all dominated by that brass sound that defies the band. There were uplifting versions of Cherry Oh Baby, Kingston Town, Silhouette, and even Rat In Mi Kitchen, before the main set was brought to a close with a mass sing along to Many Rivers To Cross.
With the crowd now in full voice the band came back to the stage for Food For Thought and (I Can’t Help) Falling In Love. No UB40 concert is complete without Red Red Wine and of course this appreciative crowd were not disappointed, as a sunshine packed three days of excellent music was brought to a blissful end.
