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Globetrotting Reggae and Pop band UB40 are set to reunite and connect with theirZimbabwean fans as the nine-piece band are set to perform at Old Hararians SportsClub on Africa Day (25 May).
The ensemble returns to perform in the country after they made their maidenperformance in 1982.After their gig in the capital, UB40 will then proceed to perform in South Africa, in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria on 30 May, 1 and 2 June respectively.
UB40, who have achieved considerable international success over a career close to a golden jubilee, having won several awards and topped many charts, are famous for their ground breaking hits including Labour of Love, Rat in the Kitchen and Signing Off.
In a statement, Ali Campbell who is the group’s front man promised to play their classic songs at the gig.
“We will always play the classics, like Red Red Wine and (I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You, but we like to change the beginning and end of the show. We will play Lean On Me and maybe add three or four new songs. “The band members are all fantastic musicians and we have climbed back up to the biggest venues in the past 12 years,” Ali Campbell said in a statement.
On the ground, the organisers of the concert Walter Wanyanya of Ngoma Nehosho said locals must brace themselves for fireworks. “Instantly recognisable as the true voice of UB40, Ali and the band are raring to go and ready to play in the country again. The band was in Harare back in 1982. You won’t want to miss this iconic concert,” Wanyanya said.
Tickets for the show are pegged at US$60 and they are available at Techtools Avondale, Pariah State Borrowdale, Pariah State Avondale and Pariah StateHighland Park. UB40 was formed in 1978, in Birmingham, England. They coined and named the group UB40 which referred to an unemployment benefit form which was common among the disaffected youth in the United Kingdom in the 80s.
UB40 have sold over 70 million records to date. They are not planning to stop anytime soon as the band continues to create and build on a legacy.
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