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THE UNSTOPPABLE TOUR
Electrifies San Diego
November 6th, 2026 Review by Jimmy Alvarez
Coming off an electrifying night in Anaheim, UB40 brought its Unstoppable tour down the I-5 South to San Diego’s North Island Open Air Amphitheatre. This night would prove to be a little different than most: One, it was Halloween night; and two, there was rain, thunder, and lightning! The backdrop for this performance would be very memorable!
As we pulled up to the venue, we ran into a few people walking in, no different than any other show, but their stories would prove to be a microcosm of the band’s career. As you would expect, since the venue is adjacent to San Diego State University, there were lots of teenage kids floating about dressed as doctors, nurses, ghosts, and goblins. But that’s not the story; the story was hearing from fans what the band meant to them.
For example, Dave and Mary Sanchez just pulled in from Phoenix. When asked why they drove out that far, they said they met on Halloween night, 1983. They fell in love with the band and their Elvis cover of “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love with You” was their first dance as man and wife. So, as Mary put it, “Damn right we’re gonna be here tonight!”
CAL COAST CREDIT UNION OPEN AIR THEATRE
San Diego, California
October 31st, 2026
The weather did not detour fans as they showed up in droves. As we waited for the show to start, fans started to line up against the barricade, and story after story was told about what UB40 meant to all.
One guy, who only said his name was Brandon, said when he was in college, he had a tragedy fall on his family, and was far from home and had to wait to see what the news was if the news would be OK or if would be devasting. The guy in the room across the hall was always playing reggae music, and he had a song on repeat. It was catchy and kept repeating the words. Eventually he got the news that all would be OK, the song was “Johnny Too Bad” by UB40. He said it was a way for him to thank the universe and pay homage to the band that got him through a dark moment in his life. The stories kept coming, and eventually so did the rain.
Finally, it was time for the show, and the opener was Gramps Morgan. Sadly, I can’t say I was familiar with him or his music, and thankfully for me, that would quickly change. As the set started, we had no idea where the vocals were coming from, and out from the rear of the stage came the large Jamaican man that had a booming voice; it was like the voice from above.
He opened with “Positive Vibration,” and immediately segued into “If You’re Looking for Me.” I guess I must have been living under a rock because as I looked back at the crowd, countless fans were singing every word to the song.
He said he was from the islands by way of Nashville, and I have to say, what a presence he had! What made it for great entertainment, he kept going back and forth with a Jamaican accent to sounding like Johnny Cash; AND he was funny. I loved his song “Don’t Put Water in My Whisky,” which made everyone laugh.
He sounded fantastic, that voice was so striking, and he was a great storyteller. He paid homage to Harry Belafonte with a snippet of “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song).”
I really wish I could catch him doing a full set because he was that entertaining. He played a few other songs that made the crowd cheer, “Down by the River,” “Feels So Right,” and yes, a classic country cover of Kenny Rogers “The Gambler.” I have never heard that song delivered like that and it was amazing! Before we knew it, Gramps Morgan said goodnight and the crowd started to fill in, ready for UB40.
By now the rain was a little heavier and steady, but it did not adversely impact the festive atmosphere. Then it was time, out came UB40 and the crowd erupted. Opening with “One in Ten,” UB40 displayed that signature sound that has captured the hearts and souls of fans worldwide.
Lead singer Matt Doyle belted out classics in such a soulful way fans were mesmerized – a Jimmy Cliff cover followed “Many Rivers to Cross,” followed by a Temptations cover, “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” followed by “Homely Girl.”
Doyle welcomed everyone to the show and dove into the hit parade, “Sing Our Own Song,” “Rat in Mi Kitchen,” another Jimmy Cliff cover “Many Rivers to Cross,” and “Cherry Oh Baby” off “Labour of Love.”
As the crowd cheered founding member Robin Campbell thanked everyone again for coming out and said they had played San Diego many times but not on a night like this.
He introduced the band, drummer Jimmy Brown, then vocalist Gilly G and his son Matt Campbell… and with a great comic delivery he paused looked at all the other guys in the band and said, the rest are ancient which drew a large laugh from the crowd.
The next hit parade took off with “Kingston Town,” and the Neil Diamond cover everyone in the house knew, even security, “Red Red Wine!” Doyle was on fire, and so was vocalist Gilly G, the duo knew how to deliver on this classic UB40 set and their lifetime fans recognized how special these songs are.
As the rain got a little stronger, so did the force of the music, almost as if it willed the rain to tame itself for a little longer. Mother nature cooperated and it was time for everyone’s favorite Al Green cover, “Here I am (Come and Take Me)” followed by Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One.”
That was such an emotional moment, some fans were in tears as they took in the timeless classic and followed with “Impossible Love.”
As the night was coming to an end, the most appropriate song of the night closed the show, “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love with You!”
As I looked back on the crowd, I spotted Dave and Mary, and waved to them, Mary in tears waved back and shouted “They’re playing our song!”
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
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SID 261106 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
