Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
I remember the mudded bliss and excitement of watching UB40 live on stage at Milton Keynes Bowl in a soggy field in 1980, I believe supporting The Police if my memory serves me well.
The venue, on the outskirts of Bletchley, had turned into a mud-pit because it had rained solidly for two days prior to the show. That’s England for you.
I feared a repeat performance when securing tickets for the open air venue in Manama after recent heavy cloud bursts but the weather and setting proved perfect on Friday night … matched only by a memorable performance by the trio of original band members and their tight group of new colleagues.
UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue, are all founding members of the original band named after an unemployment benefit form. Ali and Mickey left in 2008 and were reunited with Astro when he departed company too in 2013.
The original line-up of UB40 enjoyed huge success over a period of 30 years from 1979 until 2008, including number one albums and multiple top 10 gold and platinum selling albums and Grammy nominations, plus four number ones worldwide.
And Ali, the legendary voice of the act, confidently delivered the closest thing to the sound of the hugely successful original line-up with hit after hit and a few new numbers thrown in for good measure.
The band whipped up a musical storm with renditions of tracks like Rat in Mi Kitchen, Many Rivers to Cross, my personal favourite, a reggae version of the Chi-Lites’ classic soul hit Homely Girl, slipped off stage for what must have been a bathroom break before returning with a drum solo and delivering more delights.
Congratulations to the 50-something (average age bracket of the audience members) blonde lady near the front wearing what looked like a Laura Ashley blouse who danced the complete night away, although I’m glad I wasn’t sat behind her.
We all joined her standing and dancing for a sing-along celebrating a certain red, red beverage.
The concert was organised by the EDB as part of its support to the annual festival. Well done, a brilliant night of entertainment in Bahrain, superbly delivered from the car parking to the ease of queuing for entry and security checks … and what a superb setting Bahrain Bay makes for a show.
