Reggae band UB40 to play free concert in South Shields

Reggae group UB40 are coming to South Shields for the borough’s final free summer concert.

The band, who have enjoyed international success for more than 30 years, will be on stage at Bents Park on Sunday, July 31 as part of the South Tyneside Festival.

This will be the last in a series of four consecutive Sunday gigs taking place, with other headliners including The Proclaimers, Tony Hadley and a trio of X Factor favourites.

UB40, still featuring founding members Jimmy Brown, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan and Brian Travers, have sold more than 100 million records and achieved 40 Top 40 singles in the UK since the 1970s.

They will be performing hits from across the decades, including Food for Thought, One In Ten, Kingston Town, Cherry Oh Baby, (I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You and Red Red Wine.

Saxophonist and keyboard player Brian Travers, said: “We have the time of our lives performing for our fans and it’s fantastic to be bringing the original sound of UB40 to the South Tyneside Festival 2016.”

UB40’s special outdoor performance on July 31 marks the end of South Tyneside Festival’s Sunday Concerts programme, sponsored by Zeera Indian restaurant and takeaway, Port of Tyne, Colmans fish and chips and NCS (National Citizen Service).

Other acts headlining at the series, organised by South Tyneside Council, include X Factor favourites Alexandra Burke, Ben Haenow and Reggie ‘n’ Bollie on July 10, Scottish stars The Proclaimers on July 17 and Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley on July 24.

It also forms part of a wider programme of live music and family-friendly events which make up the festival, including live music at South Shields’ open-air Amphitheatre twice weekly in June, a Maritime Mayhem-themed parade on July 2 and Kids fun Fest parties throughout August.

Coun Alan Kerr, deputy leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “UB40 are one of the most successful British groups in history and have remained a popular choice for music fans since the 1970s.

“It is an honour to have them closing our Sunday Concert series for 2016 and I’m sure they will deliver a rousing performance to follow that of The Proclaimers, Tony Hadley and our X Factor stars.”

For more information about South Tyneside Festival’s Sunday Concert Series, run in partnership with BBC Newcastle 95.4FM, as well as full listings for the festival itself visit www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk or call the South Tyneside Visitor Information Centre on 0191 424 7788.

All the latest announcements will also be made on South Tyneside Events’ Facebook page and via @STynesideEvents on Twitter.