By Fern Balch

THERE’S no doubt that UB40 is one of the greatest reggae bands to be produced in Britain. With more than 30 years in the business and 70 million record sales worldwide, the band is back on the road. The trio of founding members, Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue will be at the BIC as UB40 Reunited on Sunday, April 12.

Speaking exclusively to the Echo, Campbell said the band is excited to get back on the road: “The UK tour dates sold out within seconds, so we decided to add more dates in April.”

The initial line-up of the band lasted until Ali’s departure in 2008 due to ‘management issues’. Mickey Virtue and Astro followed suit and the men formed UB40 Reunited, despite their former band mates including Ali’s brothers continuing to tour under the same name.

“We’ve made it very clear who will be performing. We’ve never done gigs passing it off as the other side’s music, the ‘dark side’ as I call them.

“There will never be any kind of reconciliation for me.”

Opting for a quieter lifestyle, Ali moved to Christchurch more than a decade ago. He recalled memories of performing at the BIC before his departure from the band.

“We used to play the BIC all the time but I haven’t been in a long time — I’ll probably know half the audience!”

UB40 are expected to be supported by the Brand New Heavies.