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History

The Story of UB40

The story of UB40, and how this group of young friends from Birmingham transcended their working-class origins to become the world’s most successful reggae band, selling over 100 million records and spending over a combined 11 years in the UK album charts, is not the stuff of fairytales as might be imagined. The group’s led a charmed life in many respects it’s true, but it’s been a long haul since the days they’d meet up in the bars and clubs around Moseley, and some of them had to scrape by on less than £8 a week unemployment benefit. The choice was simple if you’d left school early. You could either work in one of the local factories, like Robin Campbell did, or scuffle along aimlessly whilst waiting for something else to happen.

By the summer of 1978, something else did happen, and the nucleus of UB40 began rehearsing in a local basement. Robin’s younger brother Ali, Earl Falconer, Brian Travers and James Brown all knew each other from Moseley School of Art, whilst Norman Hassan had been a friend of the Campbell’s since junior school. Initially, they thought of themselves as an instrumental “jazz-dub-reggae” band, but by the time Robin was persuaded to rejoin and much later they’d recruited Michael Virtue and lastly Astro – who’d learnt his craft with Birmingham sound-system Duke Alloy – the group had already aligned themselves to left-wing political ideals and forged their own identity, separate from the many punk and Two Tone outfits around at that time. The group had nailed their colours to the mast by naming themselves after an unemployment benefit form. Their political convictions hadn’t been gleaned second hand either, but cemented in place whilst attending marches protesting against the National Front, or rallies organised by Rock Against Racism.

1980’s

By the time Chrissie Hynde invited them to tour with the Pretenders during the Spring of 1980 and their debut single “King b/w Food For Thought” had sailed into the UK Top 5, all the essential elements of UB40 were already in place. Their line-up will remain unchanged for thirty years, and they will continue playing a mix of original material and an inspired choice of reggae covers in a style that’s instantly accessible with its bright melodies and sweeping horn arrangements – one that’s allied to a formidable rhythm section in James Brown (drums) and Earl Falconer (bass) capable of holding its own with anything from Jamaica.

UB40’s first album was released the following September, on Graduate Records. Their deal allowed them much more creative freedom than if they had signed with a major label. The cover artwork memorably duplicated an unemployment benefit card, with the title “Signing Off” rubber-stamped in red, but it was the music that quickly worked its way into the affections of a young, mainly student crowd with it’s knowing lyrics, solid reggae rhythms and dubby, instrumental passages, offset by warm sax solos and Jamaican style scatting. There was nothing else like it at the time. As a multi-cultural band from Birmingham, UB40 weren’t drawn into trying to sound “authentic,” and there was considerably more depth to their music than that of many punk and 2Tone bands. “I’m a British subject, not proud of it, while I carry the burden of shame,” they sang on one of the tracks. Accepting the truth of their own situation amidst a sea of other reggae songs proclaiming black heritage gave us a valuable insight into where UB40 were coming from. They were unafraid to stand up and be counted, and British audiences instinctively loved them for it. “Signing Off” duly went to No. 2 in the UK and stayed on the nation’s album charts for 72 weeks.

At the end of 1980, UB40 terminated their contract with Graduate and formed their own record company, DEP International, with all eight members owning an equal share. They also signed a licensing deal with CBS, which ensured them far better distribution. “Signing Off” was still in the charts when they released their second album “Present Arms” in the summer of 1981. The sound was immediately brighter, harder and more professional, yet the spirit and commitment underpinning the band’s songs remained resolutely unchanged, as heard on “One In Ten,” written about, among other things, the UK’s record number of unemployed. With lyrics like “Nobody knows me, but I’m always there. A statistical reminder of a world that doesn’t care,” “One In Ten” became an anthem of the British protest movement, and a genuine counterpart to the equally motivated songs being written by the likes of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh in the Caribbean. “One In Ten” will earn the rare distinction of being “versioned” by Jamaican reggae acts in future. Back in 1981, it formed part of the soundtrack accompanying the race riots erupting in places like Brixton, Handsworth and St. Paul’s in Bristol – hard pressed, inner city areas with large immigrant communities that had found themselves on the frontline in resisting the right wing policies of Margaret Thatcher’s government.

Four months later, and “Present Arms In Dub” became the first-ever dub album to enter the UK Top 40 – this during a period when dub music was the exclusive preserve of grassroots reggae fans, accustomed to buying Jamaican imports. UB40’s stature among British audiences was now assured. They possessed credibility, even whilst racking up hit records, and practiced true democracy by insisting that each member had an equal say in the band’s affairs.

Their next album, 1982’s “UB44,” was recorded in Dublin and featured innovative use of holograms on the ‘limited edition’ sleeve. Trips to Australia and Zimbabwe coincided with further hits in the shape of “I Won’t Close My Eyes,” “Love Is All Alright,” “So Here I Am” and “I Got Mine,” but none breached the Top 20. “UB44” did get to No. 4 in the album charts, but then CBS ended their association with the band, enabling them to negotiate a new deal with Richard Branson’s Virgin Records.

Soon afterwards, they opened a studio in Birmingham called The Abattoir. Now masters of their own destiny (and with legendary JA keyboard player Jackie Mittoo guesting), they decided to pay tribute to the reggae pioneers who’d first inspired them back in the blues parties and clubs of Birmingham, and from hanging out at places like Don Christie’s record store. The band became evangelists of a kind, introducing classic reggae songs and artists to new audiences from around the world as they embarked on four instalments of the “Labour Of Love” series of albums

The first was released in the summer of 1983, and contrary to past record labels’ expectations, the change of direction worked magnificently. Labour Of Love became the band’s first No. 1 album in the UK, and would remain in the British charts for eighteen months. Lead single “Red Red Wine” also went straight to No. 1. In fact it stayed in the British charts for two years, thereby giving UB40 their first truly worldwide hit and, eventually, their first American No.1.

UB40 were now recast as Britain’s foremost reggae ambassadors. They have arguably fostered a love of reggae music in more people than any other artist, including Bob Marley, and it started just as soon as they’d introduced timeless Jamaican classics to contemporary audiences on “Labour Of Love.” “Please Don’t Make Me Cry,” “Many Rivers To Cross” and “Cherry Oh Baby” were the other hits from that seminal first edition, which went on to sell more than ten million copies worldwide.

UB40’s next single “If It Happens Again,” went to No. 9 but the album it was taken from “Geffery Morgan,” wasn’t a success by previous standards, despite a return to hard-hitting reality topics on tracks like “Riddle Me,” “As Always You Were Wrong Again,” “You’re Not An Army,” “The Pillow” and “I’m Not Fooled So Easily.” Recorded at The Abattoir, “Geffery Morgan” whilst not selling in the same numbers as “Labour Of Love” like “Baggariddim” – a collection of tracks recorded with leading British reggae MCs – awaits urgent, critical reappraisal.

In the summer of 1985 UB40 joined forces with Chrissie Hynde for a cover of Sonny & Cher’s “I Got You Babe” that promptly flew to No. 1 in the UK. “Don’t Break My Heart” also went Top 3 shortly afterwards, confirming UB40 as Britain’s most successful reggae band.

In August 1986, “Rat In The Kitchen” became UB40’s sixth Top 10 album in the UK. The title track became the first hit off the album, whilst “Sing Our Own Song”, written in support of the black population of South Africa, became the second – this during an era when South Africa was still an apartheid regime, and Nelson Mandela regarded as a terrorist by Britain’s Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.

In late ‘86 they were again breaking new ground by becoming one of the first western groups to tour the Soviet Union. Their watershed concert in Moscow was recorded and released the following year as “UB40 CCCP.”

It was UB40’s second live album – the first, “UB40 Live,” had been released in February 1983.

The following November, “The Best Of UB40 – Volume One” began its two and a half year tenure on the UK charts, peaking at No. 3. The group were now a national institution, and yet still full of surprises. “Maybe Tomorrow,” a Jackson Five cover, went Top 20, and previewed an unlikely collaboration with hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa and the Family called “Reckless.” UB40’s next venture would prove a little more predictable. By early 1988 – still recovering from the death of engineer Ray Falconer, who was Earl’s brother, and had been highly influential in determining the band’s production sound – UB40 again teamed up with Chrissie Hynde, who joined them on “Breakfast In Bed.” The result was another Top 10 hit, taken from the 1988 album “UB40.”

By 1988 the band was now embarking on lengthy world tours, taking in places like Australia, Japan and South America. In July the same year, they played the Free Nelson Mandela Concert at Wembley Stadium in London – an event that was beamed around the world to millions of television viewers, and prompted renewed appreciation of “Red Red Wine” in America. The song had already topped the charts in many other countries, but UB40’s first US No.1 was certainly special, and especially since they received the good news whilst headlining a sold out Madison Square Gardens in New York! Its success reignited interest in “Labour Of Love,” which entered the Billboard’s Top 20, and led to a second helping of “Labour Of Love.”

This album, LOL 2 – recorded on the road between extensive touring commitments – would yield three Top 10 hits in America alone, including “Kingston Town” and “Homely Girl,” both of which went Top 10 in the UK and throughout Europe, closely followed by “Here I Am (Come And Take Me)” and “The Way You Do The Things You Do.”

1990’s

At the onset of the nineties, Robert Palmer duetted with them on their next UK Top 10 hit, “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” and 808 State charted with a remix of “One In Ten.” Highlights such as these, whilst welcome, were then dwarfed by the release of “Promises and Lies” which became the group’s biggest selling album, selling in excess of ten million copies worldwide. The biggest hit from “Promises And Lies” was “Can’t Help Falling In Love”, which brought the band their third UK and second US No. 1 and would remain a favourite on American radio stations for years – especially after its inclusion on the soundtrack of the 1993 Sharon Stone film “Sliver.”

By the end of 1994, the constant touring had taken its toll and the band was ready for a well-earned rest – this after playing to record crowds around the world, including South Africa, where they performed to more than 250,000 people over three concerts, a live record that still stands. Virgin would fill the gap by releasing “The Best Of UB40 – Volume Two,” containing hits like “Kingston Town,” “Here I Am” and more recent efforts such as “Bring Me Your Cup,” “Reggae Music” and “Until My Dying Day.” During their sabbatical from UB40, several of the members worked on their own musical projects. Robin and Ali were the singers on Pato Banton’s No. 1 hit “Baby Come Back,” whilst Earl would have success producing house and drum & bass tracks. Ali Campbell also released his debut solo album “Big Love,” which he’d recorded in Jamaica. Their adventures in Jamaica will result in several, celebrated encounters with various reggae legends. The first, UB40’s “UB40 Present The Dancehall Album,” featuring Jamaican acts like Beenie Man, Mad Cobra and Lady Saw, appeared in 1998, and “UB40 Present The Fathers Of Reggae” in 2002. Robin has described the latter as one of the highlights of their career, since it featured many of the artists who’d inspired UB40 (among them Toots Hibbert, John Holt, Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis and the Mighty Diamonds), singing the group’s own material. Were it needed, the “Fathers” set offered proof of the respect UB40 have always been accorded in Jamaica, and especially among the island’s artists and musicians.

The “Fathers” album had taken three years to record, and the follow-up UB40 set, “Guns In The Ghetto,” would also take longer than expected to reach fruition. The group had reconvened in 1996, when they appeared in the film “Speed 2,” starring Keanu Reaves and Sandra Bullock. UB40 perform “Tell Me Is It True” in the movie, which duly became the lead single (and a Top 20 hit) from the album “Guns In the Ghetto”, released the following year. It peaked at No. 9 on the UK album charts, and yielded just one further single, “Always There.” “Guns In The Ghetto” eventually sold over a million copies, but suffered from the band’s unwillingness to tour.

Such imperatives were soon realised with the release of “Labour Of Love III,” which became the band’s twelfth Top 10 album in the UK during late 1998. “Come Back Darling,” “Holly Holy” and “The Train Is Coming” were the hit singles from “Labour Of Love III.” The following year they played before estimated television audiences of one billion in India, and then celebrated twenty years of recording with yet another UK Top 10 album, the definitive “The Very Best Of UB40 1980-2000.”

2000’s

Other landmark shows would soon follow, including concerts in South Africa, and a peace concert in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. One of them, in Switzerland, was later released as “Live In Montreux.” In 2003, they received an Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement and secured another Top 10 album with the “Platinum Collection”, a triple box set comprised of the then entire “Labour of Love” series. By now, UB40 had been favourites of the British public for well over two decades. It was therefore fitting they should provide the official anthem for the England rugby team’s triumphant 2003 World Cup campaign in Australia. “Swing Low,” taken from the “Homegrown” set, will become the group’s 49th UK chart single. UB40 have now had 51 chart successes, the only bands to have notched up more hits are Status Quo and Queen, but for UB40 to achieve this distinction by playing reggae music is nothing short of miraculous.

Two years later, on the 25th anniversary of their recording debut, the band released “Who You Fighting For.” Acclaimed not only as a return to form, but also an artistic triumph,” Who You Fighting For” was distinguished by UB40’s decision to record once more as “a live” band – i.e, playing all together in the studio. Its success was aided by a clutch of powerful message songs that wouldn’t have sounded at all out of place on their first few albums. The questioning of authority (including Britain and America’s decision to invade Iraq) and steadfast allegiance to working-class values was there for all to see, and yet the Grammy nominated “Who You Fighting For” also contained its fair share of love songs, such as “One Woman Man,” and winning covers of Matumbi’s “After Tonight” and The Manhattans “Kiss And Say Goodbye”.

At the beginning of 2008, Ali Campbell decided to leave the band in order to pursue a solo career. With a minimum of fuss, he was replaced by another Campbell brother, Duncan, who has a voice that’s virtually indistinguishable from a young Ali’s. Duncan had been invited to join the band at their inception, but declined. However, some thirty years later, alongside the other UB40 vocalists he made his presence count on the next album “TwentyFour Seven,” which received widespread acclaim on its release during the summer of 2008.

Following on from “Who You Fighting For”, “TwentyFourSeven” was again recorded “live” in the studio, and thus showcases UB40 at their best. Not for the first time, the choice of material was dominated by the kind of searching, political messages they’d long been famous for. Songs like “Rainbow Nation,” “End Of War,” “Oh America” and “Securing The Peace” rank alongside their best-ever reality tracks, except with guest singer Maxi Priest taking over lead vocals on “Dance Until The Morning Light” and a cover of Bob Marley’s “I Shot The Sheriff”, the mood is celebratory as well. Freed of the need for hit singles (if not hit albums), UB40 sound rejuvenated, as if they’ve rediscovered the creative spark that inspired them in the first place. The results make essential listening, reaffirming their reputation as the world’s most successful reggae band as they continue to reach out to audiences that are impossible to categorise by race, age or nationality.

2009 saw the release of the compilation ‘Love Songs’, which made #3 in the UK album charts, before the band played a series of live dates in North America, Italy, Germany, Spain and Slovakia, to name a few.

2010’s

2010 was another busy year for the group; in February UB40 released “Labour of Love IV”, the band’s first full album with Duncan Campbell on lead vocals, before celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut album, ‘Signing Off’, by releasing a re-mastered Special Edition of the album.

To coincide with the release, UB40 embarked on a sell-out tour of the UK where they played the album live in its entirety. This tour was preceded by a warm-up date at The Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath, the venue where the band made their live debut on February 9th, 1979.

On September 2nd, 2013, UB40 released their album ‘Getting Over The Storm’ on Universal/Virgin Records. The album was a Top 30 hit, and was made BBC Radio 2’s Album of The Week.

At the end of 2013 Astro decided to leave the group, despite the band having just announced the first leg of their 2014 UK tour. Regardless, every date on the tour went on to sell-out, with the band picking-up some of the best reviews of their career. Such was the success of the tour that a second 22-date leg was scheduled for autumn 2014, with a further 35 UK dates added over two legs in 2015, making the Getting Over The Storm tour the biggest and most extensive UK tour of UB40’s career.

To end 2015, UB40 played sold-out shows in mainland Europe, a sold-out tour of Australia and the Polynesian Islands, before finishing 2015 with two very special dates with fellow Birmingham reggae legends Steel Pulse at Brixton Academy on December 20th and a hometown gig at the O2 Birmingham Academy on Dec 21st – the first time the two bands have ever played together.

UB40 began 2016 by headlining the prestigious Raggamuffin Festival at Auckland’s Trusts Arena in New Zealand on February 20th, before touring across the UK twice to bring their Getting Over The Storm tour to a close.

2017 saw the announcement of a 14 date UK tour, scheduled for December 2017. The band also returned to the recording studio to begin the final stages of recording their as-yet-untitled new studio album.

May 2017 also saw UB40 fly out to India for the first time in 20 years for a sold-out tour, before embarking on a run of festival dates across the UK and mainland Europe. On the 27th of October 2017 the band played their 29th sold-out show at the Ahoy in Rotterdam, Holland, a record never equalled by any other act at that arena. They then toured Australia in November 2017, before returning back to the UK for their December 2017 tour.

The opening of 2018 saw UB40 return to Europe, for a tour which took them through Holland, Belgium and France.

The band then returned home to work on their upcoming album, which the band had announced would be named ‘For The Many’ in their support of Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour Party leader at the time.

The band had a summer filled with festival performances, and in between their shows they continued to work on the album.

2018 was also the start of UB40’s 40th anniversary celebrations, which they kicked-off in June with a sold-out concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Fans at the concert were treated to a preview of two tracks from the upcoming album; ‘Gravy Train’, which features Slinger, who first worked with UB40 on the 1985 album ‘Baggariddim’, and Gilly G, another close friend of the band who performed ‘Moonlight Lover’ with Norman Hassan.

Another surprise guest to join the band onstage was Paul Young, who performed ‘Love Of The Common People’ to a standing ovation.

Before the Royal Albert Hall show, the band were paid a surprise visit from Jeremy Corbyn, who came to wish them well before they took to the stage.

The band released their first track from the upcoming album ‘Moonlight Lover’ on October the 12th 2018. Followed by their second single ‘You Haven’t Called’ on January the 18th and that was followed by ‘Gravy Train’ which was released on March the 13th.

UB40’s latest album ‘For The Many” was released on March 15th 2019.

There was also a double album version which included “For The Many In Dub”.

Just days before the “For The Many” UK tour was due to start, The band had the devastating news that founder member, most prolific lyricist and sax player Brian Travers had been diagnosed with brain tumours and required immediate surgery for their removal. This of course meant he would not be able to join the tour and the subsequent recovery period would prevent Brian from touring for the whole of 2019.

Saxophonist Ian Thompson was recruited to stand in for Brian by long time horn section members Laurence Parry and Martin Meredith. They quickly brought him up to speed, with only a few days to learn the entire set, which he admirably achieved for not just the UK tour but throughout one of UB40’s busiest years with 108 shows including Europe, Scandinavia and the USA.

The final concert of 2019 was the hometown Birmingham show where Brian was able to join the band for a few emotional numbers, to rapturous applause, during the encore.

2020’s

2020, of course, saw the world struck by the disaster of Covid 19, a pandemic that closed down any hopes of concerts globally. What was due to be another very busy year for UB40 with tours of the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Africa and The US was suddenly reduced to nothing.

With no choice but to wait it out at home, UB40 took the opportunity to launch their own UB40 App as a way of keeping in touch. With exclusive content for subscribers, archive material, live weekly zoom sessions, new music and live streams, they are still connecting directly with their fans around the world.

The band also continued work on their next release, the collaboration album Bigga Baggariddim.

Much like 1985’s Baggariddim, when UB40 invited other artists to voice over their rhythms, Bigga Baggariddim is a more international affair with contributions from New Zealand (House Of Shem) and India (Reggae Rajahs) and young up and coming, as well as more established, artists from Jamaica and the UK.

2021 saw the retirement of Duncan Campbell UB40’s lead singer and long time member who announced his retirement from UB40 in order to focus on his recovery from a stroke followed by a seizure he had suffered.

Following this UB40 announced Matt Doyle as their new lead singer.Doyle will already be familiar to many UB40 fans after KIOKO opened for UB40 at The Royal Albert Hall in May 2018, before supporting them on their UK tour later that year and their European tour in 2019.

Doyle’s lead vocal features on the track ‘You Don’t Call Anymore’ from UB40’s new collaborations album Bigga Baggariddum, which was released on 25th June 2021.

UB40 guitarist and vocalist Robin Campbell said, “Matt has already demonstrated his ability and compatibility with the band on our latest album Bigga Baggariddim with the track ‘You Don’t Call Anymore’. He’s a talented young man with a voice and singing style that will prove to be a good fit and a great asset to the band. And on top of all that he’s a nice guy, too.”

Matt Doyle said of his appointment as UB40’s lead singer, “I don’t quite know how to put into words just how incredibly honoured and grateful I feel to be given this opportunity.

“I have loved UB40’s music for as long as I can remember and that love has only grown since getting to know them and watching them play live night after night on tour. They took KIOKO under their wing and gave us the opportunity of a lifetime by inviting us out on tour, and although I’ll deeply miss playing shows with KIOKO I know that they will carry on to do incredible things and that we will always remain the best of mates.

“I wish the absolute best for Duncan and I hope that he makes a full and speedy recovery, I’ve seen how much love he puts into his performance and he has written some incredible songs that I can’t wait to sing, as well as all the hits that have been such a big influence on my own music.

“UB40 have loyal and wonderful fans and I have loved getting to know so many of them already. My promise to them and to the fans all around the world is that I will always give it my all, singing the songs they know and love and as part of this legendary band, bring them a performance they’ll never forget.”

22nd of August 2021 brought the devastating news that UB40’s comrade, brother, founding UB40 member and musical legend, Brian Travers had passed away after a heroic three year battle with cancer.

Robin Campbell said “UB40 would not be, without the input of it’s most gregarious member, most prolific lyricist, and mercurial brassmaster extraordinaire. His immense talent, tireless energy and tenacious commitment to the band are totally irreplaceable.

Of course, we will carry on, but there is a giant Brian shaped hole in UB40 that can never be filled and we will forever miss him.”

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We have several different e-mail addresses for different queries. This and other contact information can be found on out contact us link on our website or via company literature or via the company’s stated telephone, facsimile or mobile telephone numbers.This company is registered in England and Wales, Number 04397352. Registered office 1 Andover St, Birmingham B5 5RG

FORCE MAJEURE

Neither party shall be liable to the other for any failure to perform any obligation under any agreement which is due to an event beyond the control of such a party including but not limited to any act of God, terrorism, war, political insurgence, insurrection, riot, civil unrest, act of civil or military authority, uprising, earthquake, flood or any other natural or manmade eventuality outside of our control, which causes the termination of an agreement or contract entered into, nor which could have been reasonably foreseen.

Any party affected by such event shall forthwith inform the other party of the same and shall use all reasonable endeavours to comply with the terms and conditions of any agreement contained herein.

WAIVER

Failure of either party to insist upon strict performance of any provision of this or any Agreement or the failure of either party to exercise any right or remedy to which it, he or they are entitled hereunder shall not constitute a waiver thereof and shall not cause a diminution of the obligations under this or any agreement. No waiver of any of the provisions on this or any agreement shall be effective unless it is expressly stated to be such and signed by other parties.

GENERAL

The laws of England and Wales govern these terms and conditions. By accessing this website [and using our services/buying our products] you consent to these terms and conditions and to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts in all disputes arising out of such access. If any of these terms are deemed invalid or unenforceable for any reason (including, but not limited to the exclusions and limitations set out above), then the invalid or unenforceable provision will be severed from these terms and the remaining terms will continue to apply. Failure of the company to enforce any of the provisions set out in these terms and conditions and any agreement, or failure to exercise any option to terminate, shall not be construed as waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the validity of these terms and conditions or any part thereof, or the right thereafter to enforce each and every provision.

These terms and conditions shall not be amended, modified, varied or supplemented except in writing and signed by duly authorised representatives of the company.

NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES

The company reserves the right to change these conditions from time to time as it sees fit and your continued use of the site will signify your acceptance of any adjustment to these terms. If there are any changes to our privacy policy we will announce that these changes have been made on our home page and on other key pages on our site. If there are any changes in how we use our sites customers' personally Identifiable Information, notification by e-mail or postal mail will be made to those affected by this change.

Any changes to our privacy policy will be posted on our web site 30 days prior to these changes taking place. You are therefore advised to re-read this statement on a regular basis.

These terms and conditions form part of the agreement between us and the client. Accessing of this website and/or undertaking of a booking or agreement indicates your understanding, agreement to and acceptance, of the disclaimer notice and the full terms and conditions contained herein. Your statutory consumer rights are unaffected.

PRIVACY

We will have the right to collect, share and use your information in accordance with our privacy policy, which is incorporated by reference in these terms. In addition, the artist or band may have access to and use of information you provide in connection with your membership to the Fan Club. Use includes, but it not limited to, sending email newsletters, updates or content related to the artist or band. These messages may be required as part of membership to ub40.global, at the discretion of the artist or band.

ub40.global understands the concerns that its members and other users of its web site (the “Site”) have about the collection, use, and disclosure of their personal Information while online. Accordingly, we have established this privacy policy to make you aware of the information collection and sharing practices of the Site. This privacy policy only applies to transactions described in this privacy policy.

Please review this policy periodically as we may update it from time to time.

WHO WE SHARE YOUR DATA WITH AND WHY

We will process the data you supply in order to provide any service you have requested when you sign up on our website. We may also use share your data with the following groups where necessary to provide a service to you.

  • The Company - Within UB40 and our direct management family of companies to provide marketing services, band information and details of upcoming tours and events.
  • Data Processors - With our third-party service providers who provide the IT services and infrastructure for hosting our website and mobile app, and communications services such as email, SMS, push notifications and other methods of communicating information with you.
  • Event Organisers - We may share your information with venues and event partners to enable the running of events and for other reasons described in their privacy policies. If an organiser or event partner wishes to provide you with third-party marketing you will be given the option to subscribe when interacting with us.
  • Third-parties - We work with partner companies to provide additional goods and services purchased via our website. These include (but are not limited to) merchandise, physical and electronic music sales, and event tickets. We may share your information with these service providers to allow them to complete any transaction with you.
  • Legal - Government agencies and authorised bodies where required by law.

YOUR IP ADDRESS

Like most ecommerce websites, each time you visit the site, we automatically collect you IP address and the web page from which you came. We use this information to administer and optimize the site for you and to diagnose problems with our site. We use your IP address to help identify you and to gather broad demographic information about you.

COOKIES

Like most websites, the site uses cookies to keep track of your purchases and other activity on the site and enhance your experience on the site. We also use cookies to deliver content specific to your interests, to save your password, and if you choose, to save other personal and financial information so you do not have to re-enter it each time you the visit the site. Third parties advertisers on the site may also place cookies on your browser. If you wish to disable these cookies the “help” portion on the toolbar on most browsers will tell you how. However, if you set your browser to disable cookies, you may not be able to access certain areas on the Site.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:

  • Whenever you are asked to fill in a form on the website, look for the box that you can click to indicate that you do not want the information to be used by anybody for direct marketing purposes.
  • If you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for the direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by writing to or emailing us at info@ub40.global

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen.

You may request details of personal information which we hold about you under the data protection act 1998. A small fee will be payable. If you would like a copy of the information held on you please write to UB40 PO Box 15345, Birmingham, B9 9GJ.

If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us as soon as possible at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

We use your financial information to check your qualifications and bill you for and otherwise facilitate your purchase of products and services.When you make a purchase on the site, we will provide your financial information to our service providers and to such third parties as we determine necessary to process your transactions. These third parties may include the credit card companies and banking institutions used to process the transaction. Any of these various third parties are authorised to use your financial information in accordance with their own privacy policies, over which we have no control.

SECURITY PRECAUTIONS

Whenever we obtain your personal Information, we use commercially reasonable efforts to protect it from unauthorised access or disclosure. While we will use such efforts, we cannot and will not act as insurers of the security of your Personal Information transmitted over the internet. Accordingly, we assume no liability for any disclosure of data due to error in transmission, unauthorised third party access or other acts or omissions beyond our reasonable control. If you are a member of UB40.global you should note that when you complete your “Member Profile,” this information can be viewed by other members. Accordingly, you should not provide any information in your member profile that you do not wish to sharewith third parties and you should have no privacy expectations with respect to the information contained within it.

WARNING ABOUT ONLINE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

You should be aware that if you voluntarily disclose information online in a publicly accessible area, such as in your member profile, a message board or chat room, that information may be collected and used by others. We do not control the actions of our users. If you disclose personal Information in your member profile, message board, or any other publicly accessible place on the Internet, you do so at your own risk and should understand that your submitted information may be collected and used by others to send you unsolicited messages, advertisements, or for other purposes. Please remember that protection of your privacy begins with you. You are solely responsible for maintaining the secrecy of any password you use to register, and you should always be careful and responsible whenever disclosing information online.

INVALIDITY OF SPECIFIC TERMS

If any provision of these additional terms or any document incorporated by reference is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the parties nevertheless agree that the court should endeavour to give effect to the parties’ intentions as reflected in the provision, and the other provisions of such documents remain in full force and effect.

LEGAL

You agree to indemnify and hold UB40.global, ndmcreative.co.uk as well as their subsidiaries, affiliates, owners, associates, licensees, licensors, officers, agents and other partners and employees (the "indemnified parties") harmless from any claim, demand, action, damage, loss, or expense, including without limitation, reasonable solicitors fees, incurred in connection with any suit or proceeding brought against any or the Indemnified parties arising out of your use of the Site or alleging facts or circumstances that could constitute a breach of any provision of these Terms by you. If you are obligated to indemnify any of the Indemnified Parties, such party will have the right, in its sole exclusive discretion, to control any action or proceeding and determine whether they wish to settle it, and if so, on what terms.

The site is based in and operated from the United Kingdom. Information which you send us by email or which we gather from you when you visit our website is held and processed in the United Kingdom. These terms shall be binding upon and inure to our benefit, and our successors, and assigns. You may not assign these terms without our prior written consent. These terms contain the entire understanding of the parties regarding their subject matter, and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements and understandings between the parties regarding their subject matter. The Terms and the relationship between you and us shall be governed by the laws of the United Kingdom without regard to any conflict of law provisions. No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right, power or privilege under these Terms shall operate as a waiver thereof. The invalidity or unenforceability of any of these terms, all of which we shall remain in full forces and effect. You agree that regardless of any statute or law to the contrary, any claim or cause of action arising out of or related to the use of the site or the terms must be filed with one (1) year after such claim or cause of action arose or be forever barred. The section titles in the Terms are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect.

You agree that any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Site will be submitted to confidential binding arbitration in the United Kingdom. The arbitrators’ award will be binding and may be entered as a judgement in any court or competent jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no arbitration under these Terms will be joined to an arbitration involving any other party subject to these terms, whether through class arbitration proceedings or otherwise. Notwithstanding  the Foregoing, to the extent you have in any manner violated or threatened to violate the intellectual property rights of UB40.global, ndmcreative.co.uk, these persons or entities may seek injunctive or other appropriate relief in the United Kingdom, and you consent to exclusive jurisdiction and venue in such courts.

Privacy Policy

Please take time to read the following Terms and Conditions

  1. Non-refundable booking feesapply to all ticket purchases.
  2. Tickets ordered via our online shop are e-tickets. You will receive a confirmation email at time of purchase and a subsequent email (3 weeks prior to the event) with your barcodes for scanning. Please check both your inbox and spam folder as sometimes these emails get marked as junk. If you do not receive the barcode email, you can download your tickets by signing into your TicketSellers account (which you will set up when purchasing the tickets).
  3. Please look after your tickets and keep them in a safe place. When exchanged on site, wristbands are non-interchangeable and should not be removed for the duration of your ticket. Lost or broken wristbands cannot be replaced so please look after them.. Please keep your tickets on you for the duration of the festival. You may be asked to show them again during the event.
  4. Without a valid e-ticket, entry into the event site will not be permitted. Last entry to the event is 9.30 pm each night. This includes re-entry for those who have arranged a pass out for exceptional circumstances. No one will be admitted the event after 9:30pm as the box office will be closed.
  5. All Ticket Holders should bring personal identification with them regardless of age. Under 18 year olds must be accompanied by a paying adult aged 21+. Proof of age may be requested at the point of entry and at the bars. The festival bars operate a CHALLENGE 25 policy. Parents please keep your children supervised at all times.
  6. If the original date is no longer possible for reasons beyond our control we reserve the right to postpone the event to another date.
  7. The promoter reserves the right to add, withdraw or substitute artists, and to vary the advertised programme and timings with no liability to refund tickets.
  8. Ticket Holders consent to inclusion in official photographic, visual and audio promotion of the festival.
  9. The promoter reserves the right to refuse admission or to eject a ticket holder for unreasonable, abusive or dangerous behaviour. The festival operates a zero tolerance policy towards abuse of our staff and volunteers.
  10. The Premises Licence Holder and / or the event promoters will not be held liable for any loss, injuries or damages sustained at the event including damage, theft or losses to property and motor vehicles, if the cause is due to the negligence of the ticket holder or the unforeseeable actions of other patrons or third parties.
  11. No animals (except guide dogs) are permitted into the festival site.
  12. Alcohol is not permitted to be brought into the festival. There are well stocked bars within the festival.
  13. Please no glassware (bottles, glass, jars etc) on site. Leave these items at home. If you wish to bring soft drinks with you, these need to be in sealed plastic bottles or cans. Security staff reserve the right to dispose of opened containers of soft drink upon entry to the festival.
  14. Ticket holders may be subject to a search on entry, before or during the event.
  15. Exposure to loud music may cause damage to hearing, please bring ear defenders / plugs if you require them.
  16. Please no audio or video recording of any kind without prior permission of the organisers.
  17. No stalls or market-sellers without prior permission of the organisers.
  18. Sorry there is no Camping available in Moseley Park. Please do not bring tents or gazebos of any size to the festival.
  19. Ticket holders found using illegal drugs will be asked to leave the festival and the police will be informed.
  20. The climbing of trees and swimming in the lake in Moseley Park is prohibited.
  21. Refund Policy – With the exception of event cancellation we are unable to provide refunds under any circumstances. This is in line with other UK festival policies. All booking fees are non-refundable
  22. Anyone aged 18 and over with a disability and proof of this disability (e.g. front page of PIP/DLA, front page of Attendance Allowance letter, evidence you are registered severely sight impaired, recognised dog assistance ID card) can apply to get a free ticket for a Personal Assistant. You cannot apply for refunds on tickets already bought by your Personal Assistant.
  23. Those aged 12-15 with a disability can apply for a free ticket for themselves but they will still need to attend the festival with a full paying adult aged 21+.
  24. We will be regularly updating our Covid guidelines based on government recommendations/guidance.
  25. We will take reasonable steps to comply with any relevant guidelines intended to reduce the spread of COVID 19 and we will make you aware of these measures with as much notice as is reasonably possible. This may include, but not limited to, specific entry requirements
  26. Please note that this event is a no re-entry event. Once you have changed your ticket for a wristband you only be allowed to leave and re-enter under exceptional circumstances. You will need to register with our pass out team at the box office on the day of the event.
  27. In light of the current COVID 19 pandemic, you understand that there are particular risks associated with attending any outdoor gathering (including the event). We will take reasonable steps to comply with any relevant guidelines intended to reduce the spread of COVID 19 and we will make you aware of these measures. However, we cannot be responsible for the behaviour or health of other Festival attendees and cannot effectively ensure that no attendees at the Festival will have COVID-19. Accordingly, we will not be responsible if you catch COVID-19 at the Festival or for any illness or death of any Festival attendees caused by COVID 19.
  28. You understand and accept that you will be attending the event and using any facilities on-site at your own risk.
    To help us to reduce the spread of COVID 19, we ask that you
    • a/ Do not attend if you are required to self-isolate as per the government guidelines at the time of the event.
    • b/ follow all guidelines and/or entry requirements notified by us to you and which will apply to your attendance at the Festival. This may include testing on entry or prior to attending the Festival. We may be required to amend our guidelines before or during the Festival and ask that you comply with any updated guidelines notified to you;
    • c/ follow all government guidelines (which may be updated from time to time);
  29. 29. You understand that we have the right, at our complete discretion, to:
    • a/ refuse entry to any attendee who we reasonably believe may display COVID 19 symptoms or who may not have followed Government guidelines or our guidelines or entry requirements;
    • b/ require that any attendee leaves the event where we reasonably believe that they may not be complying with these terms or any of our or Government guidelines in force in relation to COVID-19.

Enough with the rules! We do hope you have top weekend listening to the best of Jazz, Funk & Soul in the beautiful surroundings of Moseley Park

Privacy Policy

Please take time to read the following Terms and Conditions

This privacy policy is for this opt in for Moonshine Collective Promoter database and tracking via UB40’s website served by [SPRINGBREAK FESTIVALS LTD, 82 FAZELEY STREET, DIGBETH, BIRMINGHAM, B5 5RD] and governs the privacy of its users who choose to use it. It explains how we comply with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), the DPA (Data Protection Act) [pre GDPR enforcement] and the PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations).

This policy will explain areas of the UB40 website that may affect your privacy and personal details, how we process, collect, manage and store those details and how your rights under the GDPR, DPA & PECR are adhere to. Additionally, it will explain the use of cookies or software, advertising or commercial sponsorship from third parties and the download of any documents, files or software made available to you (if any) on this website. Further explanations may be provided for specific pages or features of this website in order to help you understand how we, this website and its third parties (if any) interact with you and your computer / device in order to serve it to you. Our contact information is provided if you have any questions.

The DPA & GDPR May 2018

We and this website complies to the DPA (Data Protection Act 1998) and already complies to the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) which comes into affect from May 2018. We will update this policy accordingly after the completion of the UK's exit from the European Union.

Use of Cookies

This website uses cookies to better the users experience while visiting the website. As required by legislation, where applicable this website uses a cookie control system, allowing the user to give explicit permission or to deny the use of /saving of cookies on their computer / device.

What are cookies? Cookies are small files saved to the user's computers hard drive that track, save and store information about the user's interactions and usage of the website. This allows the website, through its server to provide the users with a tailored experience within this website. Users are advised that if they wish to deny the use and saving of cookies from this website on to their computers hard drive they should take necessary steps within their web browsers security settings to block all cookies from this website and its external serving vendors or use the cookie control system if available upon their first visit.

Website Visitor Tracking

This website uses tracking software to monitor its visitors to better understand how they use it. The software will save a cookie to your computers hard drive in order to track and monitor your engagement and usage of the website, but will not store, save or collect personal information.

Adverts and Sponsored Links

This website may contain sponsored links and adverts. These will typically be served through our advertising partners, to whom may have detailed privacy policies relating directly to the adverts they serve.

Clicking on any such adverts will send you to the advertisers website through a referral program which may use cookies and will track the number of referrals sent from this website. This may include the use of cookies which may in turn be saved on your computers hard drive. Users should therefore note they click on sponsored external links at their own risk and we cannot be held liable for any damages or implications caused by visiting any external links mentioned.

Downloads & Media Files

Any downloadable documents, files or media made available on this website are provided to users at their own risk. While all precautions have been undertaken to ensure only genuine downloads are available users are advised to verify their authenticity using third party anti virus software or similar applications.

We accept no responsibility for third party downloads and downloads provided by external third party websites and advise users to verify their authenticity using third party anti virus software or similar applications.

Contact & Communication With us

Users contacting this us through this website do so at their own discretion and provide any such personal details requested at their own risk. Your personal information is kept private and stored securely until a time it is no longer required or has no use.

Where we have clearly stated and made you aware of the fact, and where you have given your express permission, we may use your details to send you products/services information through a mailing list system. This is done in accordance with the regulations named in 'The policy' above.

Email Mailing List & Marketing Messages

We operate an email mailing list program, used to inform subscribers about products, services and/or news we supply/publish. Users can subscribe through an online automated process where they have given their explicit permission. Subscriber personal details are collected, processed, managed and stored in accordance with the regulations named in 'The policy' above. Subscribers can unsubscribe at any time through an automated online service, or if not available, other means as detailed in the footer of sent marketing messages (or unsubscribe from all Mailchimp lists). The type and content of marketing messages subscribers receive, and if it may contain third party content, is clearly outlined at the point of subscription.

Email marketing messages may contain tracking beacons / tracked clickable links or similar server technologies in order to track subscriber activity within email marketing messages. Where used, such marketing messages may record a range of subscriber data relating to engagement, geographic, demographics and already stored subscriber data.

Our EMS (email marketing service) provider is; Mailchimp and you can read their privacy policy here

External Website Links & Third Parties

Although we only look to include quality, safe and relevant external links, users are advised to adopt a policy of caution before clicking any external web links mentioned throughout this website. (External links are clickable text / banner / image links to other websites).

Shortened URL's; URL shortening is a technique used on the web to shorten URL's (Uniform Resource Locators) to something substantially shorter. This technique is especially used in social media. Users should take caution before clicking on shortened URL links and verify their authenticity before proceeding.

We cannot guarantee or verify the contents of any externally linked website despite our best efforts. Users should therefore note they click on external links at their own risk and we cannot be held liable for any damages or implications caused by visiting any external links mentioned.

Social Media Policy & Usage

We adopt a Social Media Policy to ensure our business and our staff conduct themselves accordingly online. While we may have official profiles on social media platforms users are advised to verify authenticity of such profiles before engaging with, or sharing information with such profiles. We will never ask for user passwords or personal details on social media platforms. Users are advised to conduct themselves appropriately when engaging with us on social media.

There may be instances where our website features social sharing buttons, which help share web content directly from web pages to the respective social media platforms. You use social sharing buttons at your own discretion and accept that doing so may publish content to your social media profile feed or page. You can find further information about some social media privacy and usage policies in the resources section below.