Live Review: UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell in Australia 2026 with Setlist
18 January 2026 at Kings Park in Perth Western Australia
Review by Sheldon Ang
Super Fan’s Corner by Krystal in the Crowd
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
Only fools rush in, they say, but Perth’s UB40 faithfuls arrived in droves while the sun was still sailing high above the horizon; its golden rays piercing the canopy of ancient trees that reside on a hilltop overlooking the world’s most isolated city. The Western Australian capital played host to the opening night of UB40’s Big Love Australian tour – their first show since Buenos Aires in September. The buzz in the shimmering golden air was palpable, and with the blue skies and the capacity crowd, Ali Campbell was pleased with the choice of city to reignite his 10-men reggae powered engine.
The massive word “UB40” stretched across the stage backdrop with a deliberate conviction of grandeur, a sense of pride and ownership, overshadowing the (much) smaller “Featuring Ali Campbell” relegated below (which was blocked by the busy stage setup filled with instruments). But fans were not keen on family politics, but rather on the OG voice of UB40.
At 8:55 – as promised, Ali Campbell graced the stage for the first time since the northern winter break with One In Ten. Within an instant, it was clear that Campbell’s smooth nasal tenor is still charmingly relaxed – and just like that, we returned to the heydays of the 80’s “Unemployment Benefits Form 40”- despite the vocalist being the only member present from the original UB40 lineup.
Ali Campbell’s vocals became the epicentre of UB40, one that undulated between joy and sorrow with a casual elegance of palpable sincerity. Fans were rejoicing in those moments, witnessing a seminal chapter of reggae’s history.
UB40’s legacy spans almost half a century, with their music resonating in over 100 million homes worldwide and a discography boasting 21 studio albums. What surprised many is the band’s biggest hits are covers – classic songs reimagined and revitalised through UB40’s signature reggae style. Their artistry lies in transforming these originals into something uniquely their own, beyond mere karaoke renditions.
So naturally, Perth fans were on their feet on the deck. The start may not be with a thematically happy song; a politically charged track written in 1981, a protest track that gives voice to the disenfranchised – a timely reminder in the current climate. Chery Oh Baby was next, and by then, protruding hands among the canopy of fans were waving side to side. The chorus was echoed across the field, under the stars. It was the perfect night in the desolated city to spark the new chapter of the world tour.
This photojournalist was anticipating an army of baby boomers and Gen X, but that wasn’t the case. The front rows were filled with Gen Y, Z, and millennials. The female numbers were reminiscent of the 80’s and 90’s crowd. The bold and the beautiful became the young and the restless, swinging to the iconic voice of the 66-year-old. The grind on the deck remained at foreplay tease in the first few tracks, moving to the summer groove of the UB40 performance.
But it wasn’t until The Way You Do The Things You Do that the dance floor became haughtier. The eliciting smiles widened, as the cover by The Temptation, which was inducted into the Labour of Love II in 1989, spilled into the night. The playful beat of UB40’s signature rhythmic, quintessential sound synced beautifully with Ali Campbell’s nasally vocals.
There were plenty of shoulder swaying and hips grinding on the floor, but Ali is no Mick Jagger on stage. Instead, he left the physical shaninagans to his younger musicians. In fact, nine of them include the horn section, bass, guitar, keyboard, drums, and conga spewing the onstage activities – where the percussionist also acts as the MC.
There was little conversation throughout the evening, a choice welcomed by many in the audience. Instead, Ali Campbell allowed his musicality to speak for itself. On stage, Campbell occasionally engaged in playful duels with the trumpeter, while the band seamlessly blended elements of rock and jazz with reggae. This distinctive fusion was a masterclass in musical collaboration.
Early tracks of the 80s like Food For Thought and King reminded the fans of their 50 year journey, to the modern ones such as Maybe Tomorrow released in 2005.
As for the casual listeners, they sense the hat trick was about to strike when Ali Campbell and the band walked off the stage.
The encore arrived when the recognisable smooth laid back intro of Red Red Wine spilled across the field. Not many Gen X and younger fans were aware of the song’s origins, that being Neil Diamond’s 1967 melancholic hit. Nevertheless, red red wine was screamed by the tone-deafs… but in unity, it was the sweetest sound. Afterall, the Caribbean version rose to number 1 in the UK and the Billboard Hot 100, thanks to the fusion masterclass of reggae and ballad with a live performance to match. Perth had just experienced the biggest karaoke so far in 2026.
The mood was then readjusted, as we head towards the musical and emotional vibe down to 72 BPM of the swaying ultra breezy track of Kingstown Town. The interpretation of Lord Creator’s 1970 masterpiece – a Trinidadian calypso and ska artist, was wistfully executed by Ali Campbell, thanks to his nasal tone that adds a touch of vulnerability. The lyrics are about yearning, and whether it was for love, home, or peace, it was a performance for everybody.
As the night drew to a close, one song remained. Transforming an Elvis Presley classic into something uniquely their own is no easy feat, but Ali Campbell accomplished just that with the 1961 hit, infusing it with a sun-soaked reggae vibe. The crowd lingered, thousands strong, for this beloved wedding anthem reimagined as a reggae classic.
Visions of the animated thirty-something Ali Campbell and his old school boys from the OG UB40 lineup played in our minds, imaginatively superimposed in black and white thanks to the movie soundtrack of Sliver…
Two decades have passed since he parted ways, but hearing Ali Campbell’s voice took us right back to the OG days of UB40.
UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell will be performing across Australia this month. Tickets are available from Face to Face Touring
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Menard PR, Mellen Events, Face to Face Touring and UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell for the media accreditation
Super Fan’s Corner by Krystal in the Crowd
There is something about UB40 that instantly lifts your mood, like being wrapped in the gentle embrace of grandparents who have lived fuller, harder lives than we can imagine. Their songs feel passed down rather than written, carrying stories of love, longing, and resilience from another time. It is nostalgia without sadness, comfort without complacency, and a reminder of a kind of love that feels rare now but is still worth chasing.
Ali Campbell returned to Perth on Sunday night with his band for the Big Love World Tour, delivering the perfect soundtrack to a warm Kings Park evening. From “Cherry Oh Baby”, “Homely Girl” and “Here I Am (Come And Take Me)” through to crowd favourites “Red Red Wine”, “Kingston Town” and “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You”, the setlist confirmed UB40’s timeless catalogue. These are songs that refuse to age, still pulling people onto their feet, still uniting generations, and still proving why they remain woven into the fabric of so many lives.
As the night drew to a close, it was clear this wasn’t just a concert, but a shared moment of collective memory. UB40’s music doesn’t belong to a single decade, it belongs to people. Under the Perth sky at Kings Park, voices rose in unison, carrying songs that have soundtracked lives for generations. Long after the final notes faded, the feeling lingered, warm, comforting, and deeply familiar.
Setlist- Perth
One in Ten – Present Arms (1981)
Cherry Oh Baby – Labour of Love (1983)
If It Happens Again – Geffery Morgan… (1984)
Homely Girl – Labour of Love II (1989)
The Way You Do the Things You Do – Labour of Love II (1989)
Food for Thought – Signing Off (1980)
King – Signing Off (1980)
Impossible Love – Promises and Lies (1993)
Maybe Tomorrow – Who You Fighting For? (2005)
Stick By Me (Dub) – Labour of Love (1983)
Come Back Darling – Labour of Love III (1998)
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah – Labour of Love II (1989)
Grooving – UB40 (1988)
Sing Our Own Song – Rat in the Kitchen (1986)
Please Don’t Make Me Cry – Labour of Love (1983)
Many Rivers to Cross – Labour of Love (1983)
Encore
Flying High – Who You Fighting For? (2005)
Here I Am (Come and Take Me) – Labour of Love (1983)
Red Red Wine – Labour of Love (1983)
Kingston Town – Labour of Love II (1989)
(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You – Promises and Lies (1993)
About the writer/photographer: The founder of Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) has been accredited to more than 200 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), Iron Maiden, Metallica, KISS, RHCP, P!NK and Suzi Quatro with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem, and Tina Arena on social media. He has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) plus over 100 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.
