13th July 2010 – UB40 are to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their seminal debut album, ‘Signing Off’, by performing the whole album live during a tour of intimate venues across the UK throughout October and November 2010.
Taking its name from the unemployment form, ‘Signing Off’ was heralded as a landmark album when it was released in late August 1980. Considered by many as one of the greatest reggae albums ever released by a British band, ‘Signing Off’ was well received amongst many music fans, including followers of punk and the 2 Tone movement, and struck a chord amongst a large proportion of the UK’s disaffected youth. Mixing reggae and dub, ‘Signing Off’ chronicled the times, and wider social and political issues, as well as the plight of communities throughout the country during the early Thatcher years.
‘Signing Off’ went on to attain Platinum status after spending 71 weeks in charts, peaking at #2. The album features hit singles ‘King’/‘Food For Thought’ and ‘I Think It’s Going to Rain Today’ (#4 & # 6 on the UK singles chart, respectively), along with other UB40 classics such as ‘Tyler’, ‘Madam Medusa’ and ‘Burden of Shame’.
The album artwork for ‘Signing Off’ also famously depicted a replica of the bright yellow unemployment card from which the Birmingham-based band took its name: Unemployment Benefit, Form 40.
Since the release of ‘Signing Off’, UB40 have become one of the most successful reggae groups of all time, with over forty UK Top 40 hit singles and sales of 80million records across the world.
UB40 saxophonist Brain Travers said, “2010 marks UB40’s 30th anniversary, three decades since we started this incredible journey. We had to ask ourselves “How can we celebrate? How can we say thanks to the fans for their unconditional support?” We decided to go back to where we started, downtown to the heart of the cities and the venues where we played our first gigs, then perform our first album ‘Signing Off’ in its entirety, something we have never done before. Of course, there will also be some surprises, but we’ll save them for the night.”
In addition to performing ‘Signing Off’ in it’s entirely, UB40 will perform a second set on the evening featuring some of the band’s most loved tracks.
To celebrate Signing Off’s 30th anniversary, EMI will release a special, remastered double-CD together with a bonus DVD.
The UK dates are as follows:
October 25th – Liverpool Philarmonic
October 26th – Birmingham Symphony Hall
October 27th – Wolverhampton Civic Hall
October 29th – London Troxy
October 30th – London Shepherds Bush Empire
October 31st – Brighton Dome
November 2nd – Tue 2 Newcastle City Hall
November 3rd – Edinburgh Usher Hall
November 4th – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
November 7th – Manchester Bridgewater Hall
November 8th – Preston Guildhall
November 10th – Southend Cliffs Pavillion
November 11th – Cardiff St Davids
November 15th – Leicester De Mont Fort Hall
November 16th – Cambridge Corn Exchange
November 18th – Ipswich Regent
November 19th – Southampton Guildhall
Tickets go on sale on Friday 16th July 2010 and, amongst other outlets, are available from www.kililive.com and 0844 871 8803.
www.ub40.co.uk