M E N Review

[themill1972]

found this

UB40 at the M.E.N. Arena, Manchester live reviews | Music | Arts & Entertainment - Times Online

[anant_shah94]

I'm slightly dissapointed with that review, from the way it was written it should have been 4* at least

At least it's nice to know that they're in the news for something

[Nes B40]

Sorry, SH*T review the guy clearly dosen't know what he is talking about,
Empty seats, not much as far as I could see, Dunc shuffling his feet taking his waite side to side, Dunc was groovin man, I think this gernalist needs to get a life and get to speck savers.

[anant_shah94]

I have noticed that Dunc has started moving a lot more. Nes, was the place really packed? that's a great sign

[Nes B40]

well the only seats I could se empty was the one I sold to a ticket tout and mine, Andy Blunose got me down to front stage, So from their the place looked pretty packed to me. Man you have got a special treat to look forwards to.

[Waltjo]

Well have you seen whose photo they have next to that article shows how much taste they have John and Edward?????.
Of course the point is you can't please all the people all of the time

[loekie]

ahh well just 1 opinion. At least they played it!!!

[flyin'irie]

well well...
I suppose that intelligent people have to accept critics, BUT what I am not comfortable with in that review is that it shows a clear bias based on the former "frontman" - hate that word - nostalgy, suggesting somehow that the band was in sort of a survival mode ... mmmhhh... let's call it ... journo's ignorance...
That said, she also made some positive points

[Lambsbread]

This is my opinion of the Manchester gig and the review:-
First, the arena was much emptier than when the guys have played there in the past, i think this is definatley partly due to Ali leaving however in the future this will only benefit the fans, smaller audience = smaller venue = better atmos...I can't wait! Duncan has as much stage presence as Ali ever had, I don't think I ever heard Ali speak on stage it was always Robin doing the talking (nice to hear BTs brummie twang at the end by the way). I think Duncan probably finds it more difficult not having an instrument to hold as well. I would imagine holding an instrument gives you something to hide behind in a sense. Also I think the nwe songs went down a storm, the best reception I've hears to new material for a long time, if not ever. Can't wait to hear the rest of the album. There's plenty more UB40 to look forward to in the future, I'll keep ignoring these journalists. If they think UB40 are not a political band they obviously haven't heard any of the albums since 1981

[hickpaul.96]

Some people piss me off.....if you dont like the music or the sound is not good then fair enough..but dont go criticising bums on seats or my mate Dunc!

Here's my reply to that review...wonder if they will vet it and post it??

Give them a break my friend. The M.E.N is Europe's largest arenas and they were only a few thousand off capacity! They played Sheffield Arena the day before and Liverpool Arena the day after (less than 70 miles apart!). I challenge you to name me one band that have had the WORLDWIDE success that UB40 have had over the last 30 years, lose their unique lead singer and be able to put a show on like UB40 did on Saturday. Instead of critisising Duncan Campbell it would be far more appropriate to congratulate him on coming out of the blue and performing live in approx 50 shows in the last 18 months! WELL DONE DUNCAN! the guy who stepped up to the plate and ensured that UB40 and all their STAFF have enjoyable jobs to go to in this tough economic time! anyone who disagrees with me just go to youtube and listen to cheers during the encore!!!

Paul