THIRTY years after UB40’s Signing Off, their first album was regarded as one of their best albums ,the anniversary tour reached Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall.
UB40's had been attached with the music industry since last 30 years and they had a wider range of fans since Signing Off was released. They had come to see, hear and share a retelling of UB40’s success and enjoy it they did.
UB40's standing out whole show, encourage the performance of UB40's and they sound audience still fresh and enthusiastic as in 1980 when UB40’s distinctive reggae-dub sound was a rallying call against the Thatcher years.
The anniversary tours contains a first set of the whole Signing Off album from start to finish including the instrumental Signing Off, thought provoking Burden of Shame and I Think It’s Going To Rain Today. Predictable? Yes. Welcomed? Certainly - and with everyone on and off stage sharing the celebrations.
Perhaps it is that which makes UB40 concerts what they are. Musically the talent is unmistakable. The songs still have a political sharpness, cover tracks an exciting freshness. The sheer fun of the event is undeniable spreading from the stage across the venue.
Not many acts can pull that off but then last night’s audience would argue there is only one UB40 a group which helped define an era, still entertaining - and probably still influencing - 30-years after they took the UK music scene by storm. That debut album reached number two and stayed in the charts for 70 weeks.
Last night’s support act illustrated the fact. Manchester-based indie-ska favourites, Kids UK, are on record saying UB40 have always been a key influence in their music. It showed.
UB40’s second set featured some of the band’s best known hits, Red Red Wine, Cherry Oh Baby and of course Can’t Help Falling in Love taking on a near anthem status.
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