UB40
The University of the Virgin Islands’ Reichhold Center for the Arts (RCA) is set to present the 2nd Annual Blue Horizon Concert on Sunday, August 18. The event will feature the four-time Grammy-nominated reggae band UB40. The outdoor concert will be held on the Herman E. Moore Golf Course at the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas, starting at 6 p.m.
This concert marks the final show on UB40’s official U.S. tour, “Red Red Wine Tour”, which coincides with the release of their 45th Anniversary album, UB45. The band will perform their worldwide hit singles such as “Red Red Wine,” “Food For Thought,” and “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You,” alongside new songs from UB45. Virgin Islands bands, including RVP Band, Reggae Dynasty, and Dub Lab, will be the opening acts.
“We are thrilled to be part of UB40’s U.S. tour and to bring one of the world’s most loved reggae bands to the U.S. Virgin Islands for an unforgettable night of music under the stars,” said RCA Director Denise Humphrey. “While the Reichhold Center for the Arts facility is under reconstruction, we remain committed to enriching the cultural and social life of the VI community with world-class performances from across the globe and to showcasing our local talent.”
The Blue Horizon Concert serves as a fundraiser to support the restoration efforts of the Reichhold Center for the Arts and the Addie Ottley Community Service Scholarship Fund, which aids UVI students pursuing studies in communication. Now in its third year, the musical series was launched in 2022 in tribute to local legend, Addie Ottley.
UB40, the world’s biggest-selling reggae group with over 100 million albums sold worldwide, includes members James Brown (drums), Robin Campbell (guitar/vocals), Earl Falconer (bass/vocals), Norman Hassan (percussion/vocals), Martin Meredith (keyboards/WX7/saxophone), Jahred Gordon (keyboards), Laurence Parry (trumpet/flugel/trombone), Ian Thompson (saxophone), Gilly G (MC vocals), Matt Campbell (backing vocals), and lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Doyle. Formed in Birmingham, England, the multi-cultural band has been recording and touring since 1978, boasting more than 50 UK Top 40 singles and 10 UK Top 10 albums.
“We’re excited to get back to the States again for our third year in a row, as we love coming to America,” said Robin Campbell. “We can’t wait to play songs from our new album that we’re so very proud of, showcasing Matt Doyle’s vocals on the tracks. He’s brought a new lease of life to our music, as has the addition of our 'permanent guest’ MC Gilly G and my son on backing vocals, Matt Campbell, carrying on the legacy. When you play songs over so many years, the arrangements and vocals evolve and change. These updated versions of our hits are still close to the originals, but now reflect how we perform them today and they sound better than ever.”
Tickets are on sale now at the UVI Reichhold Center for the Arts website. General admission tickets are priced at $75 per person, while VIP tickets are available for $175. VIP tickets include designated parking and seating, special VIP entrance, two complimentary drinks, complimentary tapas, and a VIP cash bar.
For more information, visit the UVI Reichhold Center for the Arts website and the UB40 official website.
