If UB40’s show last night had carried on in the same way their entrance did, this could well be a very different review.
Under the lights – a grand entrance theme, more suited to a stadium or arena performance as opposed to the Ipswich Regent – was, in my eyes, almost cringe worthy.
However, as soon as the Birmingham-based band started playing to the almost capacity crowd, it was a completely different story.
Barely pausing between songs, the band, who formed in 1978, lead by brothers Duncan and Robin Campbell, kept giving their adoring fans what they wanted, as band members took turns in taking the lead, making sure no one went home disappointed.
It was definitely a case of saving the best until last too, as they closed the set with their first UK number one single, Red Red Wine.
Coming back for an encore, they wrapped up their non-stop performance with their last UK number one single, (I Can’t Help) Falling in Love with You.
Although there were moments when the performance began to go flat, notably when they played songs off their latest album Getting Over the Storm, the veteran performers proved they’ve still got it after nearly 40 years in the business.
Review by Callum Maclean
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