REVIEW:

UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue at Westonbirt Arboretum

IT WAS the first time I had been to a gig at Westonbirt Arboretum and I was very impressed with the venue.

Although it was busy it had a feel about it that there was still plenty of space and room to enable everyone to be within a chance of being able to see properly.

I thought it was brilliant that the option was available to take your own food and drink, and also the services available for the bar and catering were varied and plentiful and not too expensive, considering the nature of the event.

On arrival there was reggae music already playing through the PA system to keep the crowd entertained.

Shortly after my arrival at 7.30pm the support act Radio Riddler came on stage and dedicated most of their set to Prince, including reggae/ska versions of When Doves Cry and Purple Rain.

Shortly after Radio Riddler Ali Campbell came on stage unannounced and started with ‘Here I am’ which got the crowd singing and dancing from the start.

Throughout the rest of the gig UB40 showed why they’ve been around for so long and still have such a great following, playing rousing classics such as Kingston Town, Red Red Wine, I can’t help falling in love with you and Rat in Mi Kitchen and many more.

Even towards what the crowd knew was heading towards the end of the gig Ali Campbell and Co still had the crowd in the palm of their hands.

REVIEW by Natalie Button