Live Review: UB40, The Allnighters

On first were veteran Sydney favourites The Allniters. They did a good job of warming up the crowd playing their brand of ska-reggae. The highlight of their set was their second last song, their local hit version of Montego Bay, which got a great deal of the crowd jumping. 

The sight of an eight-piece band is quite something to behold, especially when they all carry an extensive amount of gear (the drummer’s kit had at least 8 tom toms!). The band began playing an instrumental piece and another three gentlemen joined them onstage, rounding out UB40’s outrageously large 11-piece line-up. They wasted no time in commencing the process of churning through their extensive back catalogue. Cherry Oh Baby made an early appearance, as did Rat In Mi Kitchen.

What did seem slightly odd was their sudden decision to turn to their newer work midway through the set. Everybody in the crowd was quite clearly there to relish in nostalgia and essentially to listen to a ‘greatest hits’ compilation. UB40’s decision to play newer stuff quite clearly put off many punters, who stopped dancing and took the opportunity to go to the bathroom or the bar. Eventually their hits resumed and so did the dancing. The back half of their set showcased their most popular songs, including Can’t Help Falling In Love and Kingston Town. They left the stage and returned for the obligatory encore, which consisted of Bring Me Your Cup and, obviously, Red Red Wine.

Throughout the entire show, the band’s musicianship was incredible. The rhythm section was incredibly tight, and the horn section hit every lick spot on. It was a pleasure to watch such an experienced band play such fun music. It’s just a pity that they spent so much time on their new, unknown stuff when their old stuff is so groovy.