For over forty years UB40 have brought us songs that have translated across generations. Their biggest hit ‘Red, Red Wine’ is still on heavy rotation on commercial radio and has been engrained in our psyche. Tonight, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell brought their “Big Love” tour to Melbourne’s iconic Palais Theatre.
Opening tonight was Brisbane’s Kurilpa Reach a seven-piece reggae outfit that certainly set the tone for tonight as their style is not too far removed from that of UB40’s. Easy going rhythmic driven reggae, just as it should be. The versatility of Kurilpa Reach in their multi vocalists was a unique twist. Each bringing something unique to their lead songs and changed the tone of things.
Reggae in many ways is such a hard genre to play and keep interesting as a lot of the rhythms and tempos stay in the same wheelhouse making it almost drone along at times. Unfortunately, this thirty-minute set felt like one long song without too much of a shift in energy or dynamics. The performances were great but for me did little to warm me up or truly engage me. What may have worked a little better was perhaps a solo acoustic artist delivering a set of reggae infused tunes, a point of difference would have made the world of difference.
As the Palais Theatre filled to what seemed to be near capacity there was an energy in the room that you could feel, an anticipation of sorts. With the set times running fifteen minutes behind the locals seemed to get a little restless, some making the most of this time to load up at the bar.
As the band took to the stage the audience erupted, taking to their feet, moving from their seats and started dancing in the aisles. This was shut down quickly by security as people returned to their seats Ali Campbell encouraged people to dance in their spots and declared the Palais Theatre a dancehall. Once on their feet the Palais theatre pretty much stayed there all night, dancing, grooving and becoming one with the music. Vocally they weren’t shy either as the sang their way through ‘Big Love’, ‘One In Ten’, Cherry Oh Baby’ and ‘Keep On Moving’. To say that the audience here were engaged is an understatement.
The set itself was a stripped back affair, no video screen, no added atmosphere just the band doing what they do best. Frontman and founding member of UB40 has still got it vocally. The band were tight and locked in and the delivery was incredible. However tonight’s set of songs seemed to lack personality, minimal interaction from Mr. Campbell with the audience, in fact he barely moved let alone engaged the crowd.
Watching not only the stage but the people around me you could get a great gauge for what was a mover or a sleeper. Which songs were the big singles, and which weren’t. While the main set of eighteen songs was executed well, with a great representation of the entire catalogue. Where I discovered my personal fault with the set is that I could have sat at home and listened to the albums or even a greatest hit offering and has pretty much the same experience with less booze being spilt on me. For me the Palais Theatre was the wrong venue for this show. It needed a space for people to dance and express themselves, had it been in a space where it was truly a dancehall space the show would have taken on a completely different appeal for me. Seeing people, dance, connect and enjoy the music so much was great. People watching was far more engaging than the performance on stage sadly.
I must say though in hindsight the encore set of five songs was the highlight. This is where we got the songs we all knew and loved. My personal favourite UB40 song “Here I Am” was delivered perfectly and Campbells voice just brought it all home here. For this song there can only be one voice, and Ali Campbell is that voice. ‘Red, Red Wine’ brought down the house, this was Palais at their most vocal. ‘Kingston Town’ was a great trip down memory lane for me and closing with “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You” was pure nostalgia and the perfect way to end the night. While I didn’t fall in love with tonight’s performance I did admire it. Not many artists get to do their thing and sell good tickets for forty-seven years so I must tip my hat to that and the fact that UB40 brought reggae into the mainstream.
Setlist : Big Love, One In Ten, Cherry Oh Baby, Keep On Moving, If It Happens Again, Homely Girl, The Way You Do, Food For Thought, King, Impossible Love, Maybe Tomorrow, Stick By Me, Come Back Darling, Let You Yeah Be Yeah, Groovin’, Seems To Me, Please Don’t Make Me Cry, Many Rivers.
Encore : Flying High, Here I Am (Come & Take Me), Red Red Wine, Kingston Town, (I Cant Help) Falling In Love With You.
With special thanks to Leanne Menard and to Face to Face Touring for the media access.
GALLERY
Kurilpa Reach
UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell
