News: UB40 in Trinidad

Premier Concerts is expecting to attract a crowd of 10,000 on Sunday at Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, for their first mega concert featuring British reggae band UB40.

The eight-member band will be performing for the first time in Trinidad as part of their world tour to promote their 23rd album, Who You Fighting For.

Members of the media had an opportunity to interface with the promoters and six of the band members at a press conference at the Marriott hotel, Mucurapo yesterday.

Premier Concerts’ public relations officer Melissa Jogie said, “Ticket sales were moving along gradually, but we are anticipating a crowd of 10,000 people.”

The multi-ethnic band, which has sold 15 million records over the last 25 years, has had 50 top 40 singles in the UK, including Red Red Wine, Kingston Town, Here I Am, The Way You Do The Things You Do, and Homely Girl.

Vocalist and guitarist Ali Campbell said UB40 has had staying power over the years because of the friendships among band members

“Most newly formed bands don’t know each other. But we could not re-invent ourselves when we got together, cause we were all friends and knew each other for who we are.”

Their new album which was released on June 13, is political in tone and focuses on the war in Iraq.

“Most of our albums have been political. We have been saying the same thing all these years. We are just more upfront with the lyrics this time,” Campbell said.

In their Very Best of UB40 album, eight of the 18 tracks were remakes of love and reggae songs which appeal to all audiences.

Commenting on the band’s passion for reggae, Campbell said, “back in those days, it was either rock or reggae and we have never been into glam rock.”

“I think that is why we have survived, because we have no real image,” he joked.

The band is expected to perform for one hour and 45 minutes.