Loose Cannon presents ub40 live at Middlesbrough Town Hall

Legendary reggae icons ub40 are set to play Middlesbrough Town Hall in October on the back of a spring sell out tour.

Jimmy Coultas

Date published: 10th Jun 2014

Loose Cannon are bringing legendary reggae band UB40 live to the Middlesbrough Town Hall, Albert Road on the Sunday 26th October after the group recently came off the back of a mammoth sell out tour.

The reggae fathers were formed in Birmingham, famously taking their name from the dole form that the members signed on to in the seventies. Originally they set out combining reggae, ska and soul too create music which saw them gain recognition from Pretenders lead singer Chrissy Hynde who provided the platform for UB40's rise to stardom with an opening slot to his band.

UB40's debut album Signing off, fittingly acquainted to their unemployed roots, rocketed to number two in the album charts. It's a true representation of a turbulent time in Britain, motivated by a political agenda lashing out at Thatcher's Britain, the surge of the National Front and extensive unemployment throughout the country.

The situation grew to become a catalyst to the double a-side single 'King/Food for thought', which became the first ever single to penetrate the top 10 charts without the backing of a major label. (Listen to 'Food for thought' for reasoning to the singles success above).

Ub40 immediately became international reggae stars manifesting a style that would see them reinvent other people's songs that are instantly recognisable to so many to this day. These covers included Neil Diamonds 'Red Red wine', Cher and Sonny's 'I got you babe' and Elvis Presley's 'I can't help falling in love with you' (which you can listen to below).

Of recent times they released a top 30 album called 'Getting over the storm' in September 2013 which gained rave reviews from the UK press and was awarded 'BBC Radio 2's Album Of The Week'.

Tickets are priced at £28.50+bf and support is still to be confirmed. The event is 18+ standing only or under 18's can be accompanied by an adult in the seating area.

For tickets head here

Tickets are no longer available for this event