Headlining the latest TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall 2025 summer show, Ali Campbell brought his unmistakable voice and reggae magic to the iconic courtyard again, having previously played in 2023.

Opening the show was Reggae Roast ft Mr Williamz, followed special guest Bitty McLean who asked the crowd: “Are we ready for sweat reggae music?”, before telling them it was his “first time in this beautiful town”.

Bitty joined UB40 for a cover of the Everley Brothers Cathy’s Song, and Charles and Eddie hit Would I Lie To You in the midst of the band’s headline set, which also included favourites Food For Thought and Homely Girl, before an encore featuring Red Red Wine, Kingston Town and (I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You.

Rightly regarded as one of the most important and influential British bands of the last 50 years, UB40 head to the historic Halifax venue for a huge open-air show on Sunday June 18.

They join fellow chart-toppers James, Embrace, Madness, Sting, Rag’n’Bone Man, War On Drugs and The Lumineers among the Live at The Piece Hall headliners – with more artists still to be announced.

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday December 16 via ticketmaster.co.uk

Ali Campbell was a founding member and lead singer of UB40 – one of the UK’s most beloved music institutions. The band achieved three UK Number Ones – Red, Red Wine, I Got You Babe (ft. Chrissie Hynde) and I Can’t Help Falling In Love with You – not to mention 17 Top 10 singles including Sing Our Own Song.

Ali left the original band in 2008 but was reunited with long-time UB40 collaborator Astro five years later. Ali and Astro then took the world by storm, captivating audiences everywhere they went, releasing three new albums together reaching Number 2 in the UK charts.

Heartbreakingly, Astro died following a very short illness in November 2021 after he and Ali had finished their incredible fourth album – Unprecedented – which was released this summer.

With Ali and a 10-piece touring band, UB40 are now ready to add tracks from Unprecedented to a formidable live set that contains material spanning more than four decades.

As well as favourites such as Red Red Wine, they have reintroduced some older tracks that have taken on a renewed significance. Among these are 1979’s King, inspired by the legacy of American Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, and 1997’s Guns In the Ghetto.

In remaining true to the authentic reggae spirit Ali is now celebrating the legacy of his departed bandmate by keeping faith with their original shared ideals. “For me, it’s all about advancing reggae,” he said. “I love all kinds of music, but we’ve always promoted reggae. I’ve never deviated from that. I’m strictly reggae.”

Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “We are so happy to announce reggae legends UB40 who no doubt will have you Singing Your Own Song here at The Piece Hall! It’s shaping up to be a real musical feast in 2023”

For more information about shows at The Piece Hall visit thepiecehall.co.uk

FOLLOW UB40 ft ALI CAMPBELL
WEBSITE I TWITTER I FACEBOOK I INSTAGRAM I YOUTUBE

ENDS