Photo Credit: UB40
UB40 releases “Champion,” the first single from their upcoming 2023 album UB45. The album celebrates 45 years of the band’s music, both new and reworked.
UB40’s new song is also the official anthem of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, hosted in UB40’s hometown of Birmingham, England, from July 28 – August 28. “Champion” features two of Birmingham’s well-respected emcees, Dapz on the Map and Gilly G, alongside the band’s new frontman, Matt Doyle.
The song is the first to feature Doyle, formerly of the band KIOKO, who took the helm from Duncan Campbell following his retirement after a stroke.
“I wish the absolute best for Duncan and I hope that he makes a full and speedy recovery,” says Doyle. “I have loved UB40’s music for as long as I can remember. The audience has welcomed me with love and open arms and I can’t wait to hear them singing the classics back to me.”
This summer, Doyle performed with the band across the UK and Europe. Critics and fans alike have given rave reviews of the band’s new live show, and UB40 “can’t wait to bring it to America and beyond.”
Doyle says of “Champion,” “The song is about being uplifted and putting that energy into whatever gets you up in the morning — whether it be music, art, or sport.”
UB40 Bigga Baggariddim Tour with The Original Wailers featuring Al Anderson, Maxi Priest, and Big Mountain
August
- 18 | River Breeze Event Center in Knoxville, TN
- 19 | The Aretha Franklin Amphitheater in Detroit, MI
- 20 | Rock, Reggae & Relief Festival in Pittsburgh, PA
- 21 | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ
- 24 | Central Park in New York, NY
- 25 | House of Blues in Boston, MA
- 27 | Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, DC
- 30 | Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, FL
September
- 1 | Mizner Park Amphitheater in Boca Raton, FL
- 2 | Stockbridge Amphitheater in Stockbridge, GA
- 3 | The Caverns in Pelham, TN
- 4 | QC Sound Stage in Charlotte, NC
- 9 | Wild Acre Live in Ft. Worth, TX
- 10 | Haute Spot Event Venue in Cedar Park, TN
- 11 | Arena Theatre in Houston, TX
- 13 | Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, AZ
- 15 | Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA
- 16 | Ironstone Amphitheatre in Murphys, CA
- 18 | The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA
UB40 – UB45 Tour
December
- 5 | UEA in Norwich, England
- 6 | Victoria Hall in Stoke-on-Trent, England
- 7 | Eventim Olympia in Liverpool, England
- 8 | 3 Arena in Dublin, Ireland
- 9 | Ulster Hall in Belfast, Ireland
- 10 | Royal Theatre in Castlebar, England
- 12 | Rock City in Nottingham, England
- 18 | Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England
- 20 | First Direct Arena in Leeds, England
- 21 | SSE Wembley Arena in London, England