UB40 HOMECOMING
AT MOSELEY PARK
A pilgrimage for fans and friends alike, joined by an incredible support bill, all set in the beautiful Moseley Park on 27th August 2023, to celebrate their 45th Anniversary.
Joined by Soul II Soul, The Mouse Outfit, Don Letts, Freetown Collective, Friendly Fire and Young Culture Band, with some of the best street food in Birmingham, exclusive films, artist Q&As with optional upgrades to a VIP Package.
UB40 The Homecoming presale is now live before tickets go on general sale.
To gain access simply sign up below and follow the link to access the presale event.
A pilgrimage for fans and friends alike, joined by an incredible support bill, all set in the beautiful Moseley Park on 27th August 2023, to celebrate their 45th Anniversary.
Joined by Soul II Soul, The Mouse Outfit, Don Letts, Freetown Collective, Friendly Fire and Young Culture Band, with some of the best street food in Birmingham, exclusive films, artist Q&As with optional upgrades to a VIP Package.
SOLD OUT
VIP upgrades still available for existing ticket holders
Moseley is where we started and spent our first formative years, so it will be a true homecoming and could get emotional
Moseley was always very Bohemian. Eccentric, arty, with some great pubs. A few of us would hang out at the Fighting Cocks, one of our first gigs was in the upstairs room there. We once played on the back of a lorry driving up and down Moseley Road. It was the birthplace of the band.
OUR SUPPORT BILLING
Soul II Soul
Formed in 1988 Soul II Soul and Jazzie B quickly achieved a name in their community in North London. Soul II Soul’s dances had been reflecting what was occurring naturally in London; kids of all races had grown up together and were now raving together. By the mid – 1980s the warehouse scene was in full swing, vibrant and underground, removed from the constraints of the mainstream – a natural fit for Soul II Soul’s creativity.
Nothing summed them and their crowd up better than their regular Sunday night spot at the now legendary Africa Centre in London’s Covent Garden. The Africa Centre was a game changer for Soul II Soul; for British black music; and for the nation’s youth culture in general. It caught the attention of Virgin Records, who signed them as an act in 1988, catapulting them into a tornado of success.
There were the resident club nights all over the world; live concert tours; radio and TV appearances; Jazzie had his own show on London’s Kiss FM and there was even an Adventures of the Funki Dreds co mic book. And, of course, Soul II Soul enjoyed the type of chart success – notably with ‘Keep On Movin’ and ‘Back To Life’ – that made them household names all over the world.
To date Soul II Soul has sold over 10 million albums in over 35 territories worldwide and has produced over 200 compilation CDs while Jazzie has accreditation on over 35 million albums in over 100 territories. They’ve performed in over 20 countries, and appeared at some of the most famous venues in the world including Wembley and New York’s Universal Amphitheatre. America embraced Soul II Soul to such a degree, in 1990 they picked up two Grammy’s. Jazzie was given the keys to seven cities in the US, including LA and New York, and the NAACP has honoured him. There’s even a Soul II Soul day over there.
The Mouse Outfit
The Mouse Outfit are a nationally prominent household name in Hip Hop. A decades worth of releases, collaborations with over 100 musicians, producers and vocalists, all under an enormous rodent shaped umbrella which despite the undulating world of music continually shifting and reshaping underneath them, have retained their Independent, DIY Hip Hop values.
Since the Heady days of debut record ‘Escape Music`, through the smashy smashy global appreciation for ‘I Wonder ft IAMDDB & Fox` to 2022’s ‘Vulnerable ft. KOJ`, self release and prolific video production capabilities have seen their output relentless and position on the frontline of UK Hip Hop endure.
Back for the back end of 2022 and beyond, with a new 7 piece lineup, founder and producer Chini at the helm, spearheaded by the vanguard of KOJ and Ayite, TMO are returning to their classic roots. The boombap of old, where it all began, raconteurs to rock to, biographers to bop to, delivering a healthy dose of Hip Hop, Funk and Mellow Jazz tones wrapped up in a dynamic Live journey, carefully curated, flecked with gentle dexterity and powerful flows, designed to satisfy the masses as well as the most reproachful Rap aficionado.
The Outfit is Mouse and they’re ready for bookings!
Don Lets
Don Letts’ reputation has been firmly established in both the film and music world by a substantial body of work from the late 70’s through the 80’s, 90’s and well into the millennium. His work has been exhibited in The Kitchen N.Y.C, The Institute of Contemporary Art, The N.F.T in London and was honored at Brooklyn’s BAM festival and The Milan Film festival. In March 2003 he won a Grammy for his documentary ‘Westway To The World’.
He came to notoriety in the late 70’s as the DJ that single handedly turn ed a whole generation of punks onto reggae. It was whilst as a d.j at the first punk club ‘The Roxy’ in 1977, that Don adopted the punk D.I.Y ethic and begun to make his first film ‘The Punk Rock Movie’. Shot on Super – 8mm it is the only documentary on the U.K punk scene w/ Sex Pistols – The Clash and many others. This led to a period directing over 300 music videos for an eclectic mix of diverse artists ranging from Public Image to Bob Marley. He then moved into documentary work covering the likes of Gil Scot – Heron, The Jam, Sun Ra, George Clinton and most recently Paul McCartney. Dancehall Queen (co – directed by Rick Elgood) shot in location in Jamaica 1997 was his first feature film.
At the end of 2007 Don presented ‘Speakers Corner’ in conjunction with the British Arts council. Featuring several spoken word artists, poets and rappers with a musical band in a theatrical setting. The event toured the UK in November – December and was a contemporary response to the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the Britis h slave trade.
Freetown Collective
“Freetown Collective is known for producing a sound that is riveting, relevant and authentic. As part of a wave of new calypso artists emerging from the Caribbean, the six – piece dynamic musical ensemble distinguishes itself through a unique blend of Caribbean rhythms and urban pop music.
The band has steadily grown its global reach within the last few years. After a brief international tour in 2015 that saw them grace stages in Rotterdam, Edinburgh, London and Toronto, their track “Good Swimma” was remixed and renamed “Believer” by Major Lazer and Showtek and released in 2016.
The following year, “Believer” received Gold Certification in France and exceeded 40 million views on YouTube. Another collaboration with Showtek saw the release of “Amen”.
Freetown Collective released its debut album entitled “Born in Darkness” in 2018 amidst overwhelmingly critical acclaim. The band’s single with renowned DJ Private Ryan entitled “Feel The Love” occupied the #2 spot on Apple Music’s Top 100 songs (in Trinidad and Tobago) list for 6 weeks in February and March 2020. In 2022, the band released “World on Fire” with soca superstars DJ Private Ryan and Patrice Roberts.”
Friendly Fire Band
Friendly Fire Band is one of the most active live reggae and dancehall outfits in the UK’s traditional reggae capital, Birmingham, both on stages and in the studio. Composed of an international lineup of musicians, Friendly Fire Band comfortably juggles traditional Roots, Dancehall or One Drop riddims, and has become an institution on the Birmingham Reggae Scene, having backed a host of artists from Dawn Penn to the late Michael Prophet, and releasing music on the Friendly Fire Music label.
In the studio, they have recorded collaborations with the cream of UK reggae artists, released on vinyl as well as digital formats on the Friendly Fire Music imprint. Collaborating with artists such as YT, Luciano, M urray Man, Mr Williamz, Tippa Irie, Susan Cadogan, Exile Di Brave, Peppery, Claire Angel to name a few, they have enjoyed radio and soundsystem plays around the world including David Rodigan (BBC 1Xtra) who has featured successive releases on his show, and many more around the world.
With many exciting studio projects in the pipeline and a heap of festivals behind them, including repeated performances at Boomtown Fair, Shambala Festival, One Love, Reggae Garden amongst others in the UK, and further afield with shows at Sirenfest (Turkey), Friendly Fire Band is currently taking bookings fronted by TOMLIN MYSTIC , MYKI TUFF , OWANCEMUS (AKA Lukas Daley) The latest hit “It’s a Brum Ting” became the anthem for the Common Wealth Games 2022, following up their lockdown classic with Myki Tuff, “I WIll Survive Corona” , which enjoyed a worldwide success with its viral video. Other releases include the Saturday Night riddim album, that re – invents the Pressure and Slide riddim, the Skandal Riddim showing the versatility of the band with its upbeat Ska – inspired rhythm, contrasting with the one drop of the Natty Love riddim and the heavy roots vibe of the Run Away 12 ′′ or the “ Legalize Riddim ” which has found its way on artist mixtapes from Chile to France and Martinique.
“The band was incredible…[they] made it all sound effortless. Isn’t that the secret of great music ! sounded like it was just falling off the stage.. beautiful tight riddims, the crowd was totally in – vested in the notes [they] were playing” Brian Travers, UB40 “It’s almost like the real thing when you go to Jamaica and play with Sly and Robbie: for the UK…. it’s excellent!” Dawn Penn
Young Culture Band
VIP Upgrade
As an extra special treat, we will also be hosting a VIP screening of our ‘Labour of Love’, complete with early entry to the park, Q&A’s hosted by a special guest, access to our VIP Bar and Lounge, a drink on arrival and a limited edition T-shirt and Print.
To upgrade, choose VIP Package, along with your day ticket
VIP Upgrade
As an extra special treat, we will also be hosting a VIP screening of our ‘Labour of Love’, complete with early entry to the park, Q&A’s hosted by a special guest, access to our VIP Bar and Lounge, a drink on arrival and a limited edition T-shirt and Print.
Existing ticket holders can upgrade to VIP
History
Starting from the very beginning, Moseley has been a big part of UB40’s rise and it holds a special place in their hearts. From first attending the Moseley School of Arts, practising above the local butchers (David Cox Butchers) just over the road from Moseley Park, to even recording their legendary album ‘Signing Off’ at Highbury Studios. Let’s also not forget, their first-ever gig was booked by a local fan, to celebrate their 30th Birthday, at the Hare & Hounds in 1979. A recognised historic milestone, the Hare & Hounds houses a PRS plaque on the York Rd side of the building, to commemorate it.
The Campbell brothers (Robin, Duncan and original lead singer Ali) were influenced heavily by their multicultural hometown, especially, the music brought by the major swell of Jamaican immigrants brought to Birmingham in the late 60s and 70s and the breadth of Indian film music, including Bhangra and pop/Bollywood scores. The music they created – featuring insightful sociopolitical lyrics, tight reggae rhythms, dubby instrumental passages, sax solos and Jamaican scat vibes – became a quick favourite of a young, mainly student crowd. Their music offered more depth than that of the many punk and ska and reggae-influenced bands of the time.
Aside from their ability to capture the Zeitgeist of the era they launched in, one of the keys to breaking UB40 to mainstream success was their association with Chrissie Hynde, who saw them perform at a small venue and invited them on a six-week tour with her fast-rising band The Pretenders just before the release of UB40’s double-sided debut single “King/Food For Thought.” The exposure helped lift the track to #4 on the UK singles chart. By the time they finished the Pretenders tour, UB40 was selling out as headliners of the same venues.
The band went on to have hits like, “One in Ten”, “I Got You Babe”, “If It Happens Again,” “Don’t Break My Heart,” “Sing Our Own Song” and “Rat in Mi Kitchen,” and “Higher Ground” to “Red Red Wine”, which they filmed the music video and hung out in the Eagle and Tun, just walking distance from their recording studio and record label Dep International in Digbeth.
About the Park
Held in Moseley Park, a stunning 11-acre woodland glade in the heart of Moseley Village. Although it’s just 2 miles from the centre of Birmingham it is a world away from city life. It is the perfect setting for an outdoor music event, with sloping grounds, creating a natural amphitheatre in front of a stunning lake. The Park is adjacent to the Village. Therefore convenience shops, newsagents, restaurants and pubs are all nearby.
Moseley Park address is Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8DD. The event entrance is located between Dixon’s Estate Agents and The Hive, opposite the Co-Operative supermarket. Travel to and from our event is the biggest contributor to our carbon footprint. Therefore, please consider this when selecting your method of transport. [Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]Travelling to the park from Birmingham city centre is easy. Catch the number 50 Bus opposite Moor Street Station (outside Selfridges) and get off in Moseley Village at the Co-Op, opposite the park. It takes roughly 15 minutes. Due to the location of the event, there is no on-site parking. We recommend using public transport, bikes and taxis. If you need to drive, there is a small car park or local public roads – we highly recommend you park elsewhere and travel in if you can.
Each Ticketholder will have received a Do’s & Don’t email prior to the event. Please make sure you read this thoroughly. Gazebos and tents are not permitted. The use of camping chairs is permitted towards the back of the park, this area will be clearly signposted and volunteers can point you in the right direction if you have any issues.
We follow the rule of thumb that nothing sharp or unsustainable should be brought into the park. Absolutely no glassware, please! Please decant any food items. Please do not bring metal cutlery. We have a large fully stocked bar, a cocktail bar and a Pimms bar on site.
Due to licensing restrictions, you are not permitted to bring your own alcohol on site, please do not be offended if we ask to search your bags. Any alcohol found will be disposed of. You are able to bring soft drinks but these must be in cans. Absolutely no single-use plastic is allowed to be brought into the event. There are water points on site so you can bring a refillable bottle.
Dogs are also not permitted on site unless they are guide dogs.
Unfortunately, Moseley Park is unsuitable for camping. However, Birmingham City Centre and the surrounding suburbs offer plenty of affordable hotels and accommodation.
For options recommended by the council – Visit Birmingham
To search for hotels in your desired area – LateRooms.com or Lastminute.com
On a budget and want to find a suitable hostel? – HostelBookers.com
If you’d like to still have that festival camping experience – Camping And Caravanning Club
