13 October 2024 – Eaton’s Hill Hotel, Brisbane – words and pictures by Bec Harbour
With the hit and miss weather in south-east Queensland at the moment, it was with a small amount of joy that I saw the show for UB40 had been moved into the Eaton’s Hill Hotel ballroom. The rain did hold off, thankfully for the punters who had to line up across the paddock but there was some residual slushiness about that I was thankful I did not have to deal with.
The crowd were certainly majority older, there were a few younger faces and they all snapped up those UB40 tour shirts in droves. Everyone was super happy to be there and the conversations were animated. The courtyard filled up with happy faces, getting a drink from the outdoor bar or snacking on some karaage chicken from the food stand.
I forgot how well known Eagle-Eye Cherry’s music is, I will guarantee even if you didn’t know who sung ‘Save Tonight’ or ‘Falling In Love Again’, you know these songs. Eagle-Eye Cherry came on stage with a huge smile for the cheering fans and a wave. They kicked off the set with ‘Paralysis’ which I had not heard, but the front row sure had and were singing along from the get-go. Cherry thanked the punters for coming out early to catch his set to cheers and clapping. They wrapped up the set with ‘Still Having Fun’ and of course ‘Save Tonight’ and everyone was singing and dancing away.
Eagle-Eye Cherry – Eaton’s Hill Hotel – photos by Bec Harbour
There was a brief intermission while the stage was set up for UB40. I spoke with a lady in the outside courtyard who said she sees UB40 every time they tour while some wag was throwing Ferrero Rocher around the courtyard telling people to catch or bonking them on the head with them.
It was UB40 time! People were screaming like teenagers, shouting that they loved them and were cheering and clapping. Everyone from the courtyard rushed inside to try to get a good dancing spot. UB40 came out slowly and allowed each member of the band to have a moment in the spotlight and everyone gave equal cheers for every single person on that stage.
UB40 – Eaton’s Hill Hotel – photos by Bec Harbour
Now to note, this line up has 4 of the 5 founding members – Robin Campbell, Norman Hassan, Earl Falconer and Jimmy Brown who have been recording together for 45 years plus their brass section who has been along for over 30 years. Former singer Ali Campbell left several years ago to pursue solo work and does tour under the UB40 featuring Ali Campbell banner with session musicians, but these guys I’m seeing tonight are the real deal. You can tell the years of playing together and the joy they have just getting up there and doing what they love.
UB40 kicked off their set with ‘Here I Am (Come and Take Me)’ and the whole crowd sung along every word. ‘Keep on Moving/Maybe Tomorrow’ was the next one, then another fan favourite ‘Homely Girl’. What made me smile is the passion of the front row, singing at the top of their lungs and dancing in a very confined space but they did it.
UB40 – Eaton’s Hill Hotel – photos by Bec Harbour
I was also on photo duty, which is why I could see the joy on UB40’s faces, but it was time to make my way out of the pit to a clear space to really enjoy the show (and maybe have a dance myself) sound tracked to ‘Sing Our Own Song’. I sat outside the door to pack my cameras away and listened to several hundred voices sing to ‘One in Ten’, ‘Home’ and ‘Please Don’t Make Me Cry’.
During ‘Please Don’t Make Me Cry’, ‘Bring Me Your Cup’ and a medley of ‘You Don’t Call Me/Me Nah Leave Yet’ I spoke to a couple of ladies who asked if ‘Fool Me Once’ had been on yet (no it had not, but it came right after these 3 songs) and told me that they had already seen them on the Gold Coast last night, “We love them”. Their enthusiasm was infectious, they asked where they could see the photos then went back inside to find a free patch to dance.
UB40 – Eaton’s Hill Hotel – photos by Bec Harbour
Next up was ‘The Keeper’, fan favourite (the sing-along was huge) and the beginning of a run of covers that they have made their own, ‘Many Rivers To Cross’ and a song from way back in 1983, ‘Cherry Oh Baby’, ‘Gimme Some Kinda Sign’, ‘Wear You to the Ball’ and finishing the set with ‘Red Red Wine’.
Time seemed to go so quick, surely that wasn’t it? Of course, it wasn’t – Australian audiences love an encore and they finished up with ‘Food for Thought/Forever Blue’, their 1989 hit, ‘Kingston Town’ and their brilliant cover of the Elvis tune ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’. I grew up listening to this music with my parents and it was very much a walk down nostalgia lane for me, I had a great time, the crowd were lovely (I have had many things lobbed at me at a live music gig but never Ferrero Rocher) and I highly recommend you check UB40 out next time they are in town.
