---
title: "UB40’s Red Red Wine glass overflows for sold-out Pretoria crowd"
description: "The legendary British reggae pop group, UB40, featuring Ali Campbell, played the final show of their South Africa tour at SunBet Arena in Pretoria on 3 June, having already wowed audiences in Cape Town and Durban."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "LABOUR OF LOVE"
author: "Alet Pretorius"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/alet-pretorius/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-06-05-ub40s-red-red-wine-glass-overflows-for-sold-out-pretoria-crowd/"
published: "2023-06-05T17:23:40"
updated: "2023-06-05T17:25:48"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 273
---

# UB40’s Red Red Wine glass overflows for sold-out Pretoria crowd

> The legendary British reggae pop group, UB40, featuring Ali Campbell, played the final show of their South Africa tour at SunBet Arena in Pretoria on 3 June, having already wowed audiences in Cape Town and Durban.

By Alet Pretorius · Published 5 June 2023, 19:23 SAST · Updated 5 June 2023, 19:25 SAST

## Key points
- UB40's South African tour tribute to Astro was a night of nostalgia and emotion, with Ali Campbell and his nine-piece band joined by opening act Tidal Waves for a spectacular show.
- Vocalist Ali Campbell and 9-piece band performed UB40 hits in South Africa
- Tour honoured long-time UB40 member Astro who died in 2021
- UB40 formed in 1979 taking their name from the UK's Department of Employment
- Supported by South African reggae rock band Tidal Waves

## Content

Vocalist Ali Campbell was joined by his nine-piece band on UB40’s tour of South Africa, playing a catalogue of hits including “Red Red Wine”, “Lean on Me” and “Kingston Town”. The tour also honoured long-time UB40 member Astro, who died in 2021. The group concluded the night in Pretoria with their cover and No 1 hit “(I can’t) Help Falling in Love With You” for the emotionally-charged Pretoria crowd.

Hailing from Birmingham, England, UB40 was formed in 1979, taking their name from the Unemployment Benefit, Form 40 (UB40) given to individuals claiming unemployment benefits from the UK’s Department of Employment.

![Lead singer, Ali Campbell, on stage during UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell’s show at  SunBet Arena, Times Square, Pretoria on 3 June, 2023. (Photo:  Alet Pretorius)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Zm4PA30nWG6qdOcOZfUM9m1o1P4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/UB4046.jpg)

*Lead singer Ali Campbell on stage in Pretoria on 3 June, 2023. (Photo: Alet Pretorius)*

![Saxophone player of the nine-piece reggae band that plays with UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell's on stage during the reggae pop band  show at  SunBet Arena, Times Square, Pretoria on 3 June, 2023.  Photo:  Alet Pretorius](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/onORSdLV3LT9F_YGv5DqRlMaDac=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/UB4042.jpg)

*Sax player of the nine-piece reggae band that performed with UB40's Ali Campbell at SunBet Arena, Times Square, Pretoria on 3 June, 2023. Photo: Alet Pretorius*

![Lead singer Ali Campbell on stage during the UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell's show at  SunBet Arena, Times Square, Pretoria on 3 June, 2023. (Photo: Alet Pretorius)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/tAdLUUyDMstJbR67b-4gSwWU8Kc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/UB4086.jpg)

*Lead singer Ali Campbell performed popular UB40s hits during the Pretoria show on 3 June, 2023. (Photo: Alet Pretorius)*

![The crowd reacts to the reggae-pop band UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell's show at  SunBet Arena, Times Square, Pretoria on 3 June, 2023. (Photo: Alet Pretorius)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Zvu8F3a2kIxDdlyI3cba-RZSh-U=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/UB40128.jpg)

*The crowd reacts as UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell at SunBet Arena on 3 June, 2023. (Photo: Alet Pretorius)*

![Lead singer, Ali Campbell, on stage UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell’s show at  SunBet Arena, Times Square, Pretoria on 3 June, 2023. (Photo: Alet Pretorius)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/gtOlyp9N27n91mW26ffMECYFKZo=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/UB4003.jpg)

*Lead singer Ali Campbell on stage at SunBet Arena, Times Square, Pretoria on 3 June, 2023. (Photo: Alet Pretorius)*

UB40 were supported by South African reggae rock band Tidal Waves, widely regarded as “The hardest working band in South Africa”, for the Pretoria show.

![Jaco "Mr" Mans (Lead Guitar), Johannes Papasha (Keyboard), Jacob "Jakes" Wulana (Guitar and Vocals) and Samual "Drumbo" Shoai(Drums) from opening band Tidal Waves on stage during the reggae pop band UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell's show at  SunBet Arena, Times Square, Pretoria on 3 June, 2023. (Photo: Alet Pretorius)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/DhOloIYeXahGCLBV7xRm8Vko3P8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/tidalwaveUB4012.jpg)

*Jaco Mans, Keogile Charlie Mathopa, Tebogo Drumbo Shoa, and Zoyisile Zakes Wulana of opening reggae act Tidal Waves rock the stage ahead of UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell's performance in Pretoria on 3 June, 2023. (Photo: Alet Pretorius)*

![Jacob "Jakes" Wulana (Guitar and Vocals) from opening band Tidal Waves on stage during the reggae pop band UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell's show at  SunBet Arena, Times Square, Pretoria on 3 June, 2023.. (Photo: Alet Pretorius)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/olZ4gccN_VRz_mkaXB71HBqGVCY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/tidalwaveUB4037.jpg)

*Opening act Tidal Waves on stage on 3 June, 2023. (Photo: Alet Pretorius)*

**DM**