Ub40

UB40 bring their brass-laced reggae to AO Arena in Manchester on 6 June 2026. Formed in late-70s Birmingham, the band took its name from the UK unemployment form and first made its mark in pubs and benefit gigs. Early albums Signing Off (1980) and Present Arms (1981) carried a dub-tinged, politically minded sound; the group later leaned into classic reggae covers with Labour of Love (1983), opening a path toward a more melodic, pop-friendly approach that continued through Promises and Lies (1993).

On stage, UB40 blends originals and versions, with horns up front, mid-tempo rhythms anchoring the groove and a taste for extended dub passages. Setlists thread together eras, letting staples like Red Red Wine, Kingston Town or Can’t Help Falling in Love rub shoulders with deeper cuts and later compositions. Through shifts in line-up over the years, the core recipe remains the same: a mix of reggae, pop and rock, warm brass harmonies and unhurried pulse, built for collective chorus moments. Manchester gets that signature UB40 balance of covers and self-penned tunes, played with the laid-back precision that has defined the band for decades.