Long-running British reggae troupe UB40 will bring its 2009 Labour of Love Tour to the U.S. this spring before hitting the UK at the end of the year. The outing begins April 10 at Snoqualmie Casino in Snoqualmie, WA, and ends May 8 at Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA.
The 18-city trek will focus primarily on the West Coast, highlighted by an April 13 gig at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom in Portland, OR, and an April 21concert at Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, CA. The band will also complete one date in Canada on April 11 at Red Robinson Theatre in Coquitlam, BC, as well as a handful of East Coast dates, including a May 7 show at Nokia Theatre Times Square in New York, NY.
Founded in 1978, UB40 has produced dozens of studio and live albums, including the compilation “Love Songs,” released in early February. The band’s cover of “Red, Red Wine,” from the album “Labour of Love,” became a ubiquitous hit and topped the Hot 100 chart in 1988. The group is currently working on the next studio album “Labour of Love IV.”
UB40 is composed of drummer James Brown, guitarist/vocalist Robin Campbell, bassist/vocalist Earl Falconer, percussionist/vocalist Norman Hassan, saxophonist Brian Travers, and vocalist/trumpeter Astro. Former lead singer and founding member Ali Campbell left the band in 2008 after 30 years.
“I have been deeply unhappy with administrative practices and with many decisions that have been made in recent years,” Campbell explained in a statement. He said that he was most upset at having to leave behind such a dedicated fanbase, but noted, “I know UB40 will carry on successfully without me and I wish them all the best.”
Campbell’s statement contrasted an earlier press release from the band that said the singer was leaving to more actively pursue his solo career.
UB40 itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)
| April 10 | Snoqualmie, WA | Snoqualmie Casino |
| April 11 | Coquitlam, BC | Red Robinson Theatre |
| April 13 | Portland, OR | McMenamins Crystal Ballroom |
| April 16 | Sparks, NV | John Ascuaga’s Nugget Hotel/Casino |
| April 17 | San Rafael, CA | Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium |
| April 18 | Las Vegas, NV | Mandalay Bay Beach |
| April 19 | Anaheim, CA | House of Blues |
| April 21 | Solana Beach, CA | Belly Up Tavern |
| April 23 | West Hollywood, CA | House of Blues |
| April 24 | Santa Barbara, CA | Arlington Theatre |
| April 25 | Cabazon, CA | Morongo Casino Resort & Spa |
| April 29 | Houston, TX | House of Blues |
| May 1 | Lake Buena Vista, FL | House of Blues |
| May 3 | St. Petersburg, FL | Jannus Landing |
| May 5 | Washington, DC | 9:30 Club |
| May 6 | Baltimore, MD | Rams Head Live! |
| May 7 | New York, NY | Nokia Theatre Times Square |
| May 8 | Glenside, PA | Keswick Theatre |
| November 19 | Killarney, IRE | INEC |
| November 20 | Dublin, IRE | The O2 |
| November 21 | Belfast, NIR | Odyssey Arena |
| November 23 | Glasgow, SCO | S.E.C.C. |
| November 24 | Newcastle Upon Tyne, ENG | Metro Radio Arena |
| December 1 | Rotterdam, NET | Ahoy Rotterdam |
| December 4 | Sheffield, ENG | Sheffield Arena |
| December 5 | Manchester, ENG | Manchester Evening News Arena |
| December 6 | Liverpool, ENG | Liverpool Echo Arena |
| December 8 | Bournemouth, ENG | Bournemouth International Centre |
| December 9 | Brighton, ENG | The Brighton Centre |
| December 12 | London, ENG | O2 Arena |
| December 15 | Plymouth, ENG | Plymouth Pavilions |
| December 16 | Nottingham, ENG | Trent FM Arena |
| December 18 | Cardiff, WAL | Cardiff International Arena |
| December 21 | Birmingham, ENG | LG Arena |
