After releasing a new album in 2021, UB40 is now touring to promote it, and yes, that includes North America!
The Bigga Baggariddim Tour kicks off next month and includes The Original Wailers featuring Al Anderson, Maxi Priest, and Big Mountain. The journey will involve multiple SoCal dates, including a stop at Hollywood Bowl.
HOLLYWOOD BOWL
September 18, 2022
In addition to the worldwide hits “Red Red Wine,” “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You,” “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” and “Here I Am (Come and Take Me),” they will showcase songs from their most recent album, “Bigga Baggariddim.”
UB40 guitarist Robin Campbell said, “We’re so excited to finally be going back to America, after the hiatus caused by the pandemic. We can’t wait to feel the vibe and love of a live crowd in the states, and for all the UB40 fans to meet our new vocalist Matt as well. They can expect a phenomenal show. We’ll be sure to bring the party.”
Matt Doyle took over as lead vocalist in 2021 when Duncan Campbell retired. Obviously taking over as the vocalist for this legendary band is a major deal and the person in question had to prove their worth. The band knew Doyle was up to the challenge after his previous group (KIOKO) opened for UB40 at The Royal Albert Hall in 2018 and supported them on their subsequent European tours. Fans can hear Doyle’s vocals on “You Don’t Call Anymore” from the new album.
Talking about joining the iconic band, Doyle said, “I really love UB40’s fans, they’ve welcomed me with love and open arms and I can’t wait to meet the fans across the pond, even more I can’t wait to hear them all singing the classics back to me.” He continued, “It’s crazy to think of how my dream of touring the U.S. has become a reality, joining the biggest-selling reggae band in the world, a band that broke in America back in the ‘80s, and who are still adored globally today.”
“Bigga Baggariddim,” the follow up to 2019’s “For the Many,” includes reggae collaborations with House of Shem, Tippa Irie, BLVK H3RO, Inner Circle, Pablo Rider, KIOKO, Gilly G, Slinger, Winston Francis, Leno Banton and General Zooz (Reggae Rajahs). UB40’s original “Baggariddim” was released in 1985 and they reunited with artists who appeared on the album.
Earlier this month, they released the video for “Gravy Train Is Coming,” featuring rising Jamaican star Blvk H3ro. They also dropped an entirely new song, “Champion,” featuring Dapz on the Map and Gilly G, and it has been named as the official anthem for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (which is kind of a big deal!). It is the first official track with Matt Doyle as the lead vocalist and there will be an accompanying music video released soon.
So much good news for UB40 to celebrate and we look forward to them doing that on our shores. SoCal residents can catch UB40’s tour September 17th in Bakersfield, September 18th in Los Angeles (Hollywood Bowl), and September 23rd in Pala (San Diego area). OC Music News will catch the tour in Tennessee and give its readers a preview before it arrives in California.
