Reviewed on Tuesday December 9
Many see UB40 as the giants of the ’80s that were the gateway drug for many sensible folk into the world of reggae. But beyond their 30-plus years of commercial success is a band with political and social stripes, and their set was a great homage to both nostalgic hits and social chutzpah.
Having gone through a litany of lineup chops and changes over the years, we were lucky enough to have two original members (arguably the cornerstones of the band) grace the stage. The iconic vocalists Astro (rapper and toaster) and Ali Campbell (lead singer) strode out looking every bit my dad’s age but performing with the gusto of an 18-year-old on his first night at schoolies.
Flanked by a horn section, two keyboardists, a backing vocalist and a many-limbed percussionist/drummer, the recreation of their big crowd sound was impeccable. Opening with an instrumental number before getting into some cuts from their most recent (18th!) studio album, they were warming up both the crowd and themselves. They delved into some impassioned tracks from 2005’s political Who You Fighting For?, and once their 1983 ditty ‘Cherry Oh Baby’ landed, the diverse, energetic crowd was well and truly ready.
Astro showed off the toasting chops have inspired the likes of Shaggy, Sean Paul and Shabba Ranks in latter years, highlighted with the frenetic ‘Rat In Mi Kitchen’. They brought out the lighters in the air with ‘Would I Lie To You’ and their cover of Elvis’ ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’.
They blitzed us in the encore with the saucy, reggae-tinged ‘Food For Thought’, and then many a glass of chardonnay was euphorically thrown around the Enmore when their biggest tune ‘Red Red Wine’ swam through the theatre. And like a fine red, red wine, this incarnation of UB40 just seems to be getting better with age.
