ShareUB40 performing their Greatest Hits Tour at The Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Thursday 21st November 2024.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
UB40 were having a party at the Motorpoint Arena on Thursday night and everyone was invited. Their performance was not just a concert but it was a celebration of the spirit of their songs which have spanned over forty five years.
Led by the charismatic Jazzie B, Soul II Soul energised the crowd with their classic hits such as their debut single Fairplay, a seamless performance of Ghetto Heaven and a touching cover of Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U, before the upbeat Keep On Movin’ had everyone on their feet.
With so many on the stage it was impossible to count them, but the British music collective delivered Universal Love before the expected high point, Back To Life (However Do You Want Me), saw the modest and unassuming Jazzie B come to the front of the stage to acknowledge the well deserved applause.
There has been much upheaval in recent years with the departure of Ali Cambell, Astro, and Mickey Virtue, the death of Brian Travers and the retirement of Duncan Campbell through ill health, but the replacements and this current line-up are so good that it took this crowd on a nostalgic trip to when they started way back in 1978.
Replacing Duncan in 2021, lead vocalist Matt Doyle is a superb front man whose voice resonated with even the diehard fans. Coming on stage they were straight into a blend of their beloved classics as well as a trio of new songs from their latest album UB45, Home, Fool Me Once and Gimme Some Kinda Sign that continued to reflect on their remarkable journey in reggae music.
Opening with Here I Am (Come And Take Me), the party had started with the signature UB40 rhythm and brass that filled the venue. There were sing alongs to Homely Girl, One In Ten, and Many Rivers To Cross before Robin Campbell took over vocals on The Keeper.
For Please Don’t Make Me Cry the lit phones made an appearance, and Cherry Oh Baby saw cherries tumbling down the huge rear screen. When the first notes of set closer Red Red Wine played out, the crowd were delighted. For the encore there was Food For Thought, Kingston Town and the song that defied the crowd to keep quiet, Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Feeling In Love.
This UB40 are an absolute delight. Vocally, Doyle is on point, transporting the crowd back to the early days when the group included Ali Campbell, and the brass section is all encompassing of the UB40 sound. With the stalwart presence of Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Jimmy Brown and Norman Hassan, along with the additional members of the band who have joined at different times along their journey, this is a band that has many miles left in the tank.
