UB40 Ft. Ali Campbell

UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell play the Utilita Arena Birmingham on Saturday 5 December, part of The Big Love Tour 2026. It's a homecoming of sorts: the band formed right here in Birmingham at the end of 1978, taking their name from the government's Unemployment Benefit Form 40. They've spent the years since carving out a space for reggae-pop on the UK charts, and this tour is billed as a celebration of that legacy and the enduring power of reggae music.

If you're not familiar with the history, the name UB40 is just the start. In 1980 they released the double A-side 'King' and 'Food For Thought', with the latter reaching No.4 in the UK. Between 1983 and 1998 they recorded three Labour Of Love albums — reggae covers of pop-rock songs — including Neil Diamond's 'Red Red Wine', which hit number one in both the UK and the US. In 1993, 'Promises And Lies' brought their biggest worldwide hit, a cover of Elvis Presley's '(I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You'. Across more than 100 million records sold and over 50 UK chart hits, the act earned an Ivor Novello Award, four Grammy nominations for Best Reggae Album, and a star on the Camden Music Walk of Fame.

Frontman Ali Campbell left in 2008 and later fronted this iteration of the band, so he's the voice you'll hear leading the set. He's not the only one on the bill that night, either: special guests Katchafire and Bitty McLean open for them, so the reggae runs through the whole evening rather than just the main act. It's a full night of it, from the support through to the headliner.

The show starts at 19:30, with doors opening at 18:30. Tickets are £47.50 to £65.00 plus fees.