Hot demand for UB40 after all these years

STRONG SALES: The UB40 Red Red Wine Vineyard Tour features original members Astro (left), Mickey Virtue and Ali Campbell. PHOTO/ SUPPLIED

Ticket sales have been strong for this summer's UB40 concert in Rotorua, the event promoter says.

Original band members Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue will play seven concerts throughout the country as part of their Red Red Wine Vineyard Tour. They will play at the Lakefront Reserve on January 9.

"[Ticket sales] have been really big, the sales in advance have been bigger than Raggamuffin - we're off to a huge start," promoter Jackie Sanders said.

"We're hoping to fill up the Lakefront Reserve, it's a really beautiful venue. It's not the size of the [Rotorua International] stadium but it would be great to have it packed and it looks like it's going that way, which is fabulous.

"This is a headline act, it's a UB40 concert so instead of getting a festival set of 45 minutes, people will have 90 minutes with all their hits being played. Because of it being a part of the Red, Red, Wine Vineyard Tour there will be a great selection of wine and great food."

Ms Sanders said although the concert in Rotorua was not at a vineyard, the band had been keen to return to the city to perform for their fans.

"I've actually spoken to them several times over the couple of years they've been here for Raggamuffin and they do have a great love for Rotorua - they've had a huge audience there and have always been well received when they've been on tour."

UB40 formed in 1979 in the Birmingham suburb of Moseley and pooled a diverse set of influences to put a fresh, indigenous slant on Jamaican reggae. After encouragement from Chrissie Hynde, who offered them support slots with her chart-topping band The Pretenders, they recorded their independently released debut album, Signing Off, on an eight-track tape machine in the home of producer Bob Lamb. An unexpected success, it reached No2 on the album charts.

Tickets are on sale now from www.eventfinda.co.nz.

-The Rotorua Daily Post has a VIP double pass to the concert to give away, valued at $440. To enter, email readers@dailypost.co.nz with the subject "UB40" and tell us your favourite song by the band. Entries close 12pm, Friday, July 31.