Marley out, UB40's Ali Campbell in for Raggamuffin festival

Ali Campbell and UB40 headlined the inaugural festival earlier this year, which were the band’s final shows together.  Since then the legendary voice of UB40 has been touring with his own 9-piece band called the Dep band promoting ‘Running Free’.

Ali has been keen to bring his band to Australia to play for his many fans here, and Raggamuffin provided the perfect opportunity.

“I am really looking forward to the Raggamuffin Festival this year. I will be bringing my new band, the Dep band to Australia, to join a fantastic line up. Last year, the festival was awesome, the crowds were great and we all enjoyed the tour enormously,” Ali said. “Australia has always been one of my favourite places to tour. We’re looking forward to playing some tracks from ‘Running Free’, as well as some of the classic hits along the way.”

Ali’s 9-piece band features ex-UB40 keyboardist Michael Virtue who also departed the band, plus a red hot lineup of seasoned reggae players.

As lead singer with the world-renowned group UB40, Ali sold over 60 million records worldwide, toured across the globe, notched up four number No. 1 world-wide singles, over 40 Top 40 UK singles, released 24 albums and received an Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement.  A whole generation has grown up listening to Ali’s infectious vocals on classics like ‘One in Ten’ ‘Red Red Wine’, ‘Don’t Break My Heart’ and ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’.

‘Running Free’, released in October 2007, featured guest artists including Smokey Robinson, Mick Hucknall and Sly & Robbie. The album hit the top ten in the UK charts, and attained gold status.  In January 2008, Ali announced his departure from UB40, after 28 years with the band, due to management and business disputes, which are part of an ongoing investigation.

Ali and the Dep band have toured solidly this year visiting countries from Russia to Africa to Europe.  He is currently working on his next solo album ‘Flying High’ due for release next year.

Whether as part of UB40 or in his solo career, Ali has always stayed true to his love of reggae and its ongoing capacity for innovation, the music that first inspired him and continues to do so, to this day.  

They join Ziggy Marley, Eddie Grant, Shaggy, Arrested Development and Bonjah on the Raggamuffin stage, kicking off in Perth on Saturday January 24.

Raggamuffin played to more than 70,000 ecstatic fans through February this year, emphatically proving that reggae is alive and well!  This year’s event again offers a six hour musical feast of the world’s best reggae artists, with a healthy dose of funk, dub, hip hop and soul. It will be the first ever visit to Australia by Eddy Grant.

TOUR DATES ARE:

Sat January 24
SUPREME COURT GARDENS, PERTH  
ticketmaster.com.au & 136 100 
   
Mon January 26
RED DEVIL PARK, BYRON BAY (Australia Day)
ticketmaster.com.au & 136 100 
   
Frid January 30
THE RIVERSTAGE, BRISBANE
ticketmaster.com.au & 136 100
   
Sat January 31
LINDEMANS WINERY, HUNTER VALLEY
ticketmaster.com.au & 136 100  
   
Sun February 1
SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL, MELBOURNE
ticketmaster.com.au & 136 100 

Tue February 3
HORDERN PAVILION, SYDNEY **
www.ticketek.com.au & 132 849
   
Sat February 7
ROTORUA INTERNATIONAL STADIUM, NEW ZEALAND