UB40

About This Event

UB40 is scheduled to bring its reggae and pop catalog to Tucson as part of the Relentless tour, with a performance at the Fox Tucson Theatre. The British group has sold more than 100 million albums and recorded more than 50 charting singles in the United Kingdom. The Tucson event listing places the show on November 3 at 7:30 p.m., presenting an opportunity to hear the band's long-running lineup perform familiar songs alongside newer material.

The group's signature hits include "Red Red Wine" and "(I Can't Help) Falling in Love With You," both of which reached No. 1 globally. UB40 also recorded the U.S. Top 10 songs "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)" and "The Way You Do The Things You Do." For the Relentless tour, the band says it will perform iconic hits, new songs, and reworked classics from UB45, its 45th Anniversary album. That release reached No. 5 on the UK official album chart.

UB40's history stretches back more than four decades. Guitarist and vocalist Robin Campbell, drummer Jimmy Brown, bassist and vocalist Earl Falconer, and percussionist, trombonist, and vocalist Norman Hassan have remained the core of the band's evolving history. Campbell describes the group's live shows as a party and emphasizes the relationship between the musicians and their audiences. The band has continued recording as well as touring, saying that new material remains an important part of its work rather than relying only on decades-old songs.

Lead vocalist Matt Doyle joined UB40 in 2021 after performing with the Birmingham reggae band KIOKO. He first came to the group's attention when KIOKO opened for UB40 at Royal Albert Hall in 2018 and later supported the band on tours in the United Kingdom and Europe. Doyle took over the lead vocalist role after Duncan Campbell, who had been UB40's lead singer since 2008, retired following a stroke. The current touring lineup also includes long-time members Martin Meredith, Laurence Parry, Ian Thompson, and newer member Jahred Gordon, along with backing vocalist Matt Campbell and permanent guest emcee Gilly G.

UB45 contains seven new songs and seven re-recordings, including a mixture of original material and songs associated with the Labour of Love albums. The band has described the updated versions as close to the originals while reflecting how the songs are performed today. UB40's 45th year was marked by additional performances, including a sold-out Royal Albert Hall show and a return to the United States. The group's Tucson appearance is presented by the Fox Tucson Theatre, a nonprofit venue in downtown Tucson that hosts concerts and other events. Visitors can expect a full-band performance built around UB40's established repertoire, newer songs, and the continuing musical collaboration among its members.