UB40 – The Relentless Tour 2025

Hollywood, FL – 08.22.25 – Just the title “UB40 – The Relentless Tour 2025” was enough to set expectations sky-high for South Florida fans. Birmingham’s reggae-rock icons, UB40, are celebrating their 45th anniversary with an ongoing world tour and a fresh album release, UB45, blending new material with re-recorded classics. For many in the crowd, it promised a night of nostalgia, joy, and melodies that have soundtracked life’s most meaningful moments. And UB40 delivered—big time.

The Fixx – An Unexpectedly Perfect Opener

The night kicked off with a gem from the New Wave era: The Fixx. For those who remember the mid-80s MTV explosion, the band was always hard to define—part Rock, part Synth, a dash of Pop, and always ahead of their time. And the best part? The lineup remains unchanged: Cy Curnin (vocals), Adam Woods (drums), Rupert Greenall (keys), Jamie West-Oram (guitar), and Dan K. Brown (bass).

Photo: Julisa Sandra Marquez

Dressed in a trench coat, blue hat, and cane, Curnin commanded the stage like a seasoned storyteller, his Bowie-esque frame and vocal stylings still magnetic. Between songs he charmed the audience: “Hello, all! It is a pleasure to be here. We live in times of changes, however two things didn’t change over the years—the members of this band and you, our fabulous audience.”

Midway through the set, they hit their timeless anthem “One Thing Leads to Another.” The crowd roared, expecting it to be the closer, but the band pushed on, proving that their catalog still holds depth and relevance. By the end, The Fixx had done more than warm up the room—they set the bar high.

UB40 – 45 Years of One Love Vibes

By the time UB40 hit the stage, Hard Rock Live was packed wall-to-wall. The audience wasn’t just the expected reggae faithful—there were fans of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life; Less than a cloud of Rastafarian red, yellow, and green, but more a celebration of everyday people who share a love for that timeless reggae-pop groove.

Photo: Julisa Sandra Marquez

UB40’s founding members still anchor the lineup: Jimmy Brown (drums), Robin Campbell (guitar/vocals), Earl Falconer (bass), and Norman Hassan (percussion). Alongside them were Matt Doyle (lead vocals), Laurence Parry (trumpet/trombone), Jahred Gordon (keys), Martin Meredith and Ian Thompson (keys/sax), plus backing vocalists Gilly G and Matt Campbell—a tight, dynamic unit that carried both the classics and the new tracks with effortless groove.

Opening with “Here I Am (Come and Take Me),” UB40 wasted no time proving why their blend of reggae, pop, and soul continues to resonate. As usual, it was Robin Campbell, with his unmistakable British accent, the one interacting with the audience in between songs, either inviting the audience to sing along with the band or making warm announcements: “It’s lovely to be here, and to be still celebrating 45 years with all of you.”

The setlist flowed like a greatest-hits time machine; however, the band took the opportunity to highlight some of the newer material from the recently released album “UB45“. The peak came closer to the end of the show.

Photo: Julisa Sandra Marquez

The crowd loudly sang “The Way You Do“, “Higher Ground“, and “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight, ” but when the opening chords of “Red Red Wine” and “Kingston Town” rang out, the room erupted like a stadium touchdown moment. For a few minutes, thousands of strangers became one choir, one vibe, one love.

They closed with their unforgettable take on “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” leaving the audience in that sweet reggae haze where time seems to slow. Even after the final note faded, no one was ready to go.

Legacy & Gratitude

With over 100 million albums sold worldwide, UB40 remains the world’s best-selling reggae group, and they wear that badge with humility. Drummer Jimmy Brown summed it up perfectly: “American audiences are so much fun to play to and are so loud in their appreciation that it is one of the most rewarding countries to tour. We’ve toured the U.S. every year for the last three years, this being the fourth, and it gets better every time.”

As usual, the Hard Rock Live got more than just a show venue—it got a living, breathing celebration of unity, nostalgia, and timeless music that continues to bridge generations.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to The Hard Rock Live @ Hollywood, FL for welcoming Echoes Of South Florida to cover this incredible event. It was an honor to be part of such a world-class production, and we’re truly grateful for the opportunity to capture and share the magic of the night. We look forward to many more unforgettable moments together.