UB40 in Southend-on-Sea

UB40 are a British reggae band formed in Birmingham in 1978. Their reggae-pop sound, rooted in dub and ska, became widely known through songs including “Food for Thought,” “Red Red Wine,” “Kingston Town” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” as well as the covers album Labour of Love. UB40 played their first concert at the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath in 1979. A support tour with the Pretenders followed in 1980 and brought the group into larger British venues. They later performed at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in 1985 and returned there for Nelson Mandela’s 70th Birthday Tribute in 1988.