MUSIC-LOVERS in South Shields will be raising a glass of Red Red Wine this weekend (July 31) when UB40 close this summer’s Sunday concert series.
The best-selling pop reggae band will take to the stage in the final free concert of this year’s South Tyneside Festival in Bents Park on Sunday afternoon.
UB40 was formed back in the 1970s and still features founding members Jimmy Brown, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan and Brian Travers.
The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and has racked up 40 UK top 40 singles.
They are set to perform some of their biggest hits from across four decades as they hit South Shields on Sunday, including Red Red Wine, (I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You, Cherry Oh Baby and Kingston Town.
Also appearing on stage this weekend will be a host of local talent. South Tyneside’s Eve Simpson will make her return to the festival after a successful performance last year while Newcastle-based singer/songwriter Lily Brook and local band The Shakes will complete the line-up.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for Culture and Leisure said: “This has been a record year for audiences heading to our Sunday concerts, and we will be welcoming another large crowd this weekend as the series draws to a close.
“Once again we have a fantastic afternoon of entertainment lined-up. UB40 is one of those bands that everyone loves and enjoys, and I am sure that they will have the whole park dancing and singing along with them.
“The response we have had to this year’s Sunday concerts has been incredible and I can’t think of a better band than UB40 to help us end this year’s series on a high.”
The Sunday Concert series is sponsored by Port of Tyne, NCS (National Citizen Service), Colmans fish and chips and Zeera Indian restaurant and takeaway and attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year from across the North East and further afield.