Concert Review: UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell Live in Fremantle

1st of February 2024 at the Fremantle Prison – Perth, Western Australia

Review by Erica Lorimer

Photography by Lorimer Images

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A pulsating heartbeat propagates as the evening “doctor” cools a heatwave in Fremantle and heralds the arrival of a world’s premier reggae band.  Within the derelict prison walls a capacity crowd awaits, as the venue is transformed into a throbbing hub of reggae rhythms and swags.  The mighty UB40 are here in town.

Few bands can endure a four-decade journey and consistently performing in sold out shows, which delight an eclectic fan base across the generations between 8 and 80. Ali Campbell, a founding member and frontman of the original lineup for three decades, now tours globally under the banner of UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell. 

Hailing from Birmingham, UK, UB40’s music has been shaped by a rich cultural mix which blends Jamaican reggae, jazz, blues, and calypso styles.  Making music they genuinely love, UB40 have propelled reggae onto the world stage by establishing a distinctive identity and popularising the genre with massive hits such as “Red Red Wine”.

After local talent Toby Beard’s energetic opening, UB40’s ten-piece band, led by MC Frank Benbini (aka Franky B), takes the stage.  Franky B is a charismatic ringmaster sporting his signature red Kangol Bermuda bucket hat and hypes up the energy all night calling to the crowd exclaims, “My name is Frank B, and I bring the par-teeee!”

Ali Campbell, the main man himself, takes the stage.  His enduring impact on the band is undeniable, praised by many for the distinctive quality and signature accent of his voice.  The show opens fittingly with “Here I am (Come and Take Me),” one of their most successful hits of 1991, reaching number 3 on the charts in Australia.

The next song, a cover of the Temptations’ 1964 timeless gem, “The Way You Do the Things You Do”, adds a laid-back Caribbean style rhythm and signature steel drums.  The song presents UB40 at its best by adapting covers with a breezy and distinctive reggae tune.  More chill favourites follow including “Homely Girl” and the classic “Cherry Oh Baby”, originally written by Smokey Robinson.

From an elevated vantage point on the prison wall’s high guard’s walk, this photographer and writer enjoys the scene below of a huge crowd bouncing in harmony to the rhythm.  A friend beside me remarks that “the singing is worthy of a Manchester United soccer game”.

UB40’s hugely successful single “One In Ten” is next.  Released in 1981, this song became a British protest anthem, echoing the socially charged tunes of Caribbean legends like Bob Marley.  “Versioned” by Jamaican reggae acts, the lyrics are a commentary on societal inequality and harsh realities that many people overlook: “Nobody knows me, but I’m always there. A statistical reminder of a world that doesn’t care.”

A memorable moment for many was their reggae tribute to Prince’s “Purple Rain”.  Introduced with British self-deprecating humour, a style lapped up by the Aussie crowd, Franky B amusingly shared, “Well, we sent the recording to him (Prince), and we reckon he liked it because, you know, he didn’t say anything.”

Following the cover of “Many Rivers to Cross,” the stage is bathed in red light. The crowd, catching the cue, enthusiastically joins in the chorus of the acclaimed anthem “Red Red Wine.”  This reggae-infused rendition of Neil Diamond’s song peaked at number 2 in Australia in 1983 and is possibly one of the 80’s most iconic songs.

After the band’s well known and loved cover of Elvis Presley’s “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love”, Franky B introduces the touring talent with playful allusions to herbal escapades and witty nicknames like “Mr De Lips on the trumpet”.  Londoner Adriano on the sax is introduced as “a-nava Italian brava from a different ma-va.”. 

“This must be the most fun ever had in these walls!”.  Franky B’s amusing quips and infectious enthusiasm continues to amuse the crowd, drawing them in with spirited call-and-response interactions.  His playful directive, “So when I say ‘UB,’ you say ’40’!” whips up an already lively audience.

Fans chanting “U B forty” and piercing screams of “Al-lee,” are rewarded with an encore of “Kingston Town”.  Much like “Red, Red Wine,” the lyrics of the Lord Creator’s song are so well known that everyone effortlessly sings along. 

As the night ends, the smiles on those reluctantly heading home reveal just how much UB40 is a source of joy for so many.  Ali and the band must be well chuffed with how things turned out, and we can be sure they’ll come back to Perth soon and welcomed as always as old friends.

The writer would like to thank Face to Face Touring and Sheldon Ang Media for the Press Accreditation.

About the Writer and Photographer: Erica Lorimer holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Degree from the University of Western Australia (UWA), majoring in English Literature and Economics, and a Certificate IV in Design. She is also a freelance photographer who loves capturing images of live music and travel photography, sometimes with film from vintage cameras and making prints in a home darkroom. 

Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to photograph and review the likes of Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, KISS, Robbie Williams plus more than seventy major live shows, with reviews shared by various artists including UB40, Toni Childs, The Wiggles and Delta Goodrem. The founder has also interviewed rockers Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses) and many more.