WeeklySA_AdminTIMELESS: After delivering a hit-filled performance to a packed Grand Arena in Cape Town, UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell heads to Pretoria this weekend for two highly anticipated concerts following overwhelming demand from South African fans…
By Own Correspondent
Cape Town’s Grand Arena at GrandWest was transformed into a sea of nostalgia and reggae rhythms on Tuesday night as UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell delivered a crowd-pleasing performance that reminded fans why the band remains one of the world’s most enduring live acts.
Playing to a packed venue, the legendary British reggae group took concertgoers on a musical journey spanning more than four decades.
From the opening notes to the final encore, the audience sang along to a catalogue of hits that have become part of the soundtrack of generations.
Classics such as Red Red Wine, Kingston Town and (I Can’t Help) Falling in Love with You drew some of the loudest reactions of the evening, while the band’s trademark blend of reggae, pop and soul kept fans dancing throughout the show.
Ali Campbell’s distinctive vocals remain at the heart of the UB40 experience, and the frontman showed little sign of slowing down as he effortlessly guided the audience through one hit after another.
Backed by a polished and accomplished band, the performance balanced nostalgia with the energy of a group that continues to connect with audiences across generations.
The enthusiastic reception in Cape Town comes as no surprise given UB40’s longstanding popularity in South Africa, where the band’s music has enjoyed a devoted following for decades.
Now the tour moves to Pretoria, where fans will have not one but two opportunities to see the reggae icons perform live.
Following the success of ticket sales for the original concert scheduled to take place at SunBet Arena, Time Square tomorrow, promoters announced an additional performance on June 7 after the first show sold out.
The decision reflects the extraordinary demand for the band, which has sold millions of albums worldwide and remains one of reggae music’s most recognisable names.
“UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell remains one of the most beloved live acts to tour South Africa,” said Big Concerts CEO Attie Van Wyk. “Pretoria showed up in a big way and the sell-out reinforces their incredible legacy. We’re proud to be opening a second show to meet the exceptional demand from fans.”
Before arriving in Pretoria, the group performs at the Durban International Convention Centre on 4 June, continuing a South African tour that has already demonstrated the band’s enduring appeal.
Formed in Birmingham in the late 1970s, UB40 went on to become one of the most successful reggae bands in music history, producing a string of international hits and selling millions of records across the globe.
Under the UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell banner, the group’s timeless songs continue to attract audiences eager to relive the music that defined an era.
If the scenes in Cape Town are anything to go by, Pretoria fans can expect an evening packed with sing-alongs, reggae grooves and a celebration of one of popular music’s most enduring catalogues. – Fullview
