British reggae-pop band UB40 will perform live in Qatar next month, after their last attempt to play here had to be canceled in 2015.
The group was popular particularly in the 1980s and 90s with hits including Can’t help falling in Love and Red red wine, which made it to number one on the US Billboard top 100.
The new event will be at the InterContinental Hotel Doha on May 13.
According to organizers Iconic Entertainment and Premium Events, doors open at 6:30 pm, with DJs and an as-yet unnamed act performing from 8:30 pm. UB40 will be on stage at approximately 9:30 pm.
Tickets are on sale for QR249 and QR499 (VIP) online through Q-tickets and Platinum List, and are also being sold in person at The InterContinental Hotel Doha and Saqr Entertainment stores.
The Qatar dates come before the band embarks on a three-month tour around the UK and Europe, according to UB40’s website.
Canceled gig
UB40 had been due to play at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters golf tournament in January 2015.
However, the death of the then-king of Saudi Arabia King Abdullah led to the concert being one of a number of events that were canceled as a mark of respect.
The band, which was established in late 1978, took its name from a document that jobless people in the UK had to fill out at the time to claim benefits – the Unemployment Benefit Form 40.
It had a relatively stable line-up until its founding front-man Ali Campbell left the group in 2008. He has since set up another group, which also performs under the name UB40, with keyboardist Mickey Virtue and another band member Astro.
The group performing in Qatar includes: Robin Campbell (vocals and guitar), Duncan Campbell (vocals and guitar), James “Jim” Brown (drums), Earl Falconer (bass), Norman Lamount Hassan (percussion), Brian Travers (saxophone) and Tony Mullins (keyboards).
UB40 has had more than 50 singles in the charts and sold more than 70 million records in its near-40 year career, and has played at international events including “Reggae Sunsplash” in Jamaica and “Summer Jam” in Germany.
Supporting the band will be Berlin-based, up-and-coming reggae act Martin Jondo and three DJ sets from DJ Mubarak, DJ Legacy and Robin, before, between and after the live acts, organizers said.
Who’s going? Thoughts?
