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ALI CAMPBELL (NIA, June 7)

18-01-2008

Ali Campbell and his band UB40 might divide the critics, but there’s no doubting his (and their) popularity. Tickets for Campbell’s solo show at the NIA go on sale tomorrow.

The Yoobees have been a very Brummie success story – a gang of multi-racial doleys attempting to copy the reggae music they heard around them in the late 70’s/early 80’s who somehow ending up with a unique sound that could only come from around here.

They’ve been a massive international success story (60 million albums sold worldwide), and even if they are the very definition of “uncool” neither they, nor their huge fan base, could give a toss. Quite right too.

Campbell’s solo work undoubtedly veers towards the middle of the road, but that hasn’t restricted his success; his second album “Running Free” features a fair quota of covers and duets with the likes of Smokey Robinson, Mick Hucknall, Katie Melua and Beverley Knight.

They won’t be present at the NIA, but a few special guests are promised. Hmm. UB40 man does hometown gig? You work it out.

Tickets priced £32.50 (plus fees) go on sale tomorrow, Saturday 19 January from www.theticketfactory.com