Nowton Nights - UB40 & Special Guest Support (Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds)

NOWTON NIGHTS 
NEW & EXCLUSIVE to the 2018 BURY ST EDMUNDS FESTIVAL
UB40 & Special Guest TBA

The story of UB40, and how this group of young friends from Birmingham transcended their working-class origins to become the world’s most successful reggae band is not the stuff of fairy tales as might be imagined. The group’s led a charmed life in many respects it’s true, but it’s been a long haul since the days they’d meet up in the bars and clubs around Moseley, and some of them had to scrape by on less than £8 a week unemployment benefit. The choice was simple if you’d left school early. You could either work in one of the local factories, like Robin Campbell did, or scuffle along aimlessly whilst waiting for something else to happen.
 
UB40’s first album was released, on Graduate Records. Their deal allowed them more creative freedom than if they had signed with a major label. The cover artwork memorably duplicated an unemployment benefit card, with the title "Signing Off" rubber-stamped in red, but it was the music that quickly worked its way into the affections of a young, mainly student crowd with its knowing lyrics, solid reggae rhythms and dub, instrumental passages, offset by warm horn solos and Jamaican style scatting. There was nothing else like it at the time. As a multi-cultural band from Birmingham, UB40 weren’t drawn into trying to sound "authentic," and there was considerably more depth to their music than that of many punk and 2Tone bands. "I’m a British subject, not proud of it, whilst I carry the burden of shame," they sang on one of the tracks. Accepting the truth of their own situation amidst a sea of other reggae songs proclaiming black heritage gave us a valuable insight into where UB40 were coming from. They were unafraid to stand up and be counted, and British audiences instinctively loved them for it. "Signing Off" duly went to No. 2 in the UK and stayed on the nation’s album charts for 72 weeks.
 
At the beginning of 2008, Ali Campbell decided to leave the band in order to pursue a solo career. With a minimum of fuss, he was replaced by another Campbell brother, Duncan, who has a voice that’s virtually indistinguishable from Ali’s. Duncan had been invited to join the band at their inception, but declined. However, some thirty years later alongside the other UB40 vocalists he has made his presence count on the latest album "TwentyFourSeven," which received widespread acclaim on its release during the summer of 2008. Following on from "Who You Fighting For," "TwentyFourSeven" was again recorded "live" in the studio, and thus showcases UB40 at their best. Not for the first time, the choice of material was dominated by the kind of searching, political messages they’d long been famous for. Songs like "Rainbow Nation," "End Of War," "Oh America" and "Securing The Peace" rank alongside their best-ever reality tracks, except with guest singer Maxi Priest taking over lead vocals on "Dance Until The Morning Light" and a cover of Bob Marley’s "I Shot The Sheriff," the mood is a celebration as well. Freed of the need for hit singles (if not hit albums), UB40 sound rejuvenated, as if they’ve rediscovered the creative spark that inspired them in the first place. The results make essential listening, reaffirming their reputation as the world’s most successful reggae band as they continue to reach out to audiences that are impossible to categorise by race, age or nationality.
www.ub40.global
 
Bring your own gazebo and put it up on your own privately reserved site around the edge of the concert arena still with a good view of the arena and stage. (Site fee applies)

Car Park space can be booked in advance. (Fee applies)

For any disabled requirements, please contact the Box Office - 01256 416384.

For Terms & Conditions, please go to http://oeplive.com

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Sunday, 27th May 2018
Show: 7.30pm (Gates open 6.00pm, Car Parks from 5pm) 
Tickets: £43.00 (inc booking fee)  (Car Parks: £6 per car)