From long time supporters to newcomers, people of all ages were here to witness the historical reggae group UB40 doing what they do best. After almost 40 years together and more than 40 singles in the charts, UB40 had plenty to offer the Melbourne crowd.
Before the British group graced the Forum stage, Canadian blues rocker Charlie A‘Court came out to warm up the crowd. Whether it was his comic relief, killer rockabilly vibe or the lack of AC, the amphitheatre had heated up in no time. Playing a selection of tunes from his latest record, Come On Over, A‘Court’s set featured an incredibly contagious vocal performance, clean acoustics and distorted electric guitar.
UB40 made a dramatic entrance, with each member emerging one by one to an action movie intro piece that felt out of place in a theatre filled with reggae fans. Breathing a sigh of relief, it wasn’t long before the nine-piece band began playing Present Arms and the atmosphere positively transformed. Sweaty dancing bodies, drinks flowing, you could’ve sworn you were in an underground Jamaican reggae club.
Sweet Cherrie saw brothers Duncan and Robin Campbell front of stage, swaying in unison and asking the adoring audience to join them in singing, “Cherrie, Cherrie, don’t go and leave me alone”. It soon became a question of who was the true performer for the night, them or us. Moving into You Could Meet Somebody, Brian Travers’ saxophone pointed at the Forum’s blue ceiling as a woodwind crescendo swept over the entire venue.
After getting through Higher Ground, Midnight Rider, Freedom Has Come, Don’t Do The Crime, Food For Thought, One In Ten and Here I am, Duncan took a step back, making room for bassist Earl Falconer to showcase his Shaggy-esque vocals. Rapping his way through Oh America and Baby Come Back, the multi-talented Falconer brought the atmosphere in the room up to an entirely new level.
The night wouldn’t have been complete without hearing tracks from the band’s four Labour Of Love cover albums. They covered Cherry Oh Baby, Sweet Sensation, Homely Girl and I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight, bringing their own rhythm to each of the songs. Unsurprisingly, their performance of Neil Diamond’s Red Red Wine got an enormous reaction. Afterwards, an electric room, a flood of red light, a jam-packed dance floor and a standing ovation gave the band no choice but to come back for an encore.
UB40 finished up with Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain, Kingston Town and Elvis’s I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You. Ultimately, the reggae legends delivered an incredibly entertaining two-hour performance, a talent that can only come through years of experience.
BY PHOEBE ROBERTSON
Loved: Everything about Charlie A‘Court.
Hated: That UB40 didn’t play I Got You Babe.
Drank: For free (thanks dad).
