UB40 - Ridgefield Playhouse 2025

UB40 brought their reggae-pop sound to the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, Connecticut, on September 2, 2025, as part of their Relentless Tour. The 7:30 p.m. performance gave the intimate venue a full night of classic reggae, pop, soul, and ska-influenced material from one of Britain's most successful bands. (ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

The concert came during UB40's 45th-anniversary era, with co-founder Robin Campbell leading a lineup that also included longtime members Jimmy Brown, Earl Falconer, and Norman Hassan. Matt Doyle, who joined the group in 2021, handled lead vocals. The band was touring behind UB45, which featured new recordings alongside reworked versions of classic material. (ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

The set opened with “Here I Am (Come and Take Me),” followed by “Maybe Tomorrow,” “Homely Girl,” and “Sing Our Own Song.” Right away, the performance established the relaxed but highly rhythmic atmosphere that has always been central to UB40's live shows.

“ One in Ten” and “Home” followed before the band moved into “You Don't Call Anymore,” “Many Rivers to Cross,” and “Gimme Little Sign.” The set demonstrated the breadth of UB40's influences, moving effortlessly between original material and songs the group had transformed through its own reggae approach.

The performance continued with “Higher Ground,” “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “I'll Be Your Baby Tonight,” “Cherry Oh Baby,” and “Johnny Too Bad.” The combination of familiar songs and deep catalog selections kept the show moving without making it feel like a simple greatest-hits package. (setlist.fm)

“Red Red Wine” was the obvious centerpiece. UB40's version of the Neil Diamond song became an international smash and remains the group's most recognizable recording for many American fans. Hearing it in a smaller room like the Ridgefield Playhouse gave the song a more intimate feel than it would have had in a large arena.

The encore began with a birthday celebration for Harry before the band launched into “Food for Thought,” “Kingston Town,” and “Can't Help Falling in Love.” The final three songs provided a perfect combination of original UB40 material, reggae tradition, and the band's hugely successful interpretation of the Elvis Presley classic. (setlist.fm)

The complete performance lasted roughly 90 minutes and featured 19 songs, giving the Ridgefield audience a substantial set despite the relatively intimate venue. A complete recording of the September 2 performance also documents the full set from beginning to end. (youtube.com)

For Ridgefield fans, the UB40 concert was a celebration of a band whose music has always crossed boundaries. Reggae provided the foundation, but soul, pop, rock, and Caribbean influences were all part of the mix. More than four decades into their career, UB40 could still fill a room with irresistible grooves, familiar songs, and the laid-back energy that has made them one of Britain's most enduring reggae-pop acts.