Jan. 28, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The provided text details the announcement of The Unstoppable Tour, a major concert series by the legendary British reggae-pop group UB40 scheduled for late 2025. This extensive 40-city trek will cover numerous locations across the United States and Canada, marking the band’s fifth straight year of North American performances. Fans can expect a setlist featuring iconic hits like “Red Red Wine” alongside material from a forthcoming studio album slated for release this summer. The current lineup includes original founding members and lead vocalist Matt Doyle, who has fronted the group since 2021. Beyond the tour logistics, the sources highlight the band’s enduring global influence, noting their massive record sales and multiple Grammy nominations earned over a career spanning nearly five decades.
Since forming in Birmingham, England, in 1978 as a group of friends with working-class origins, UB40 has experienced several significant changes to its lineup, particularly regarding its lead vocalist.
Lead Vocalist Transitions
The most notable evolution in the band’s history involves the role of the lead singer:
Ali Campbell (1978–2008): The original lead singer departed the group in 2008 to pursue a solo career.
Duncan Campbell (2008–2021): Ali was replaced by his brother, Duncan Campbell, who fronted the band for 13 years until his retirement due to illness in 2021.
Matt Doyle (2021–Present): Following Duncan’s retirement, Matt Doyle took over as lead vocalist and guitarist. He has led the group through their last four major tours and performed on their 45th-anniversary album, UB45.
Original and Founding Members
Despite the change in lead singers, four original founding members remain the core of the official UB40 band:
James “Jimmy” Brown (drums)
Robin Campbell (guitar/vocals)
Earl Falconer (bass/vocals)
Norman Hassan (percussion/vocals)
Current Full Lineup
The modern iteration of the band, which is currently preparing for “The Unstoppable Tour” across North America, includes the following members:
Founding Members: Jimmy Brown, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, and Norman Hassan.
Lead Vocalist: Matt Doyle.
Supporting Members: Martin Meredith (keyboards/WX7/saxophone), Jahred Gordon (keyboards), Laurence Parry (trumpet/flugel/trombone), Ian Thompson (saxophone), Gilly G (MC vocals), and Matt Campbell (backing vocals).
This lineup continues to record and perform, recently reaching #5 on the UK official album chart with their 2024 release UB45, which features both re-imagined classics and new material.
Key milestones for UB40’s “The Unstoppable Tour” include the following:
Ticketing Launch: Pre-sales for the tour were made available using the password “UNSTOPPABLE,” with general ticket sales beginning on January 30 at 10:00 A.M. local time.
Album Release: The band plans to release a brand-new album in the summer, prior to the tour’s start,. This follows their 2024 album, UB45, which reached #5 on the UK official album chart.
Tour Commencement: The tour is scheduled to officially launch on September 18 in Ottawa, Ontario,.
Expansion Milestones: This run represents the band’s fifth consecutive year touring North America,. The 2024–2025 circuit is more extensive than previous visits, featuring 40 cities and an expanded schedule in Canada,.
Major Market Stops: The group will perform at major amphitheaters and performing arts centers, including high-profile stops in New York City (September 25) and the Los Angeles area (Thousand Oaks on October 25 and Anaheim on October 28),.
Tour Conclusion: The 40-city journey will wrap up on November 15 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida,.
The tour features the official lineup including founding members Jimmy Brown, Robin Campbell, Earl Falconer, and Norman Hassan, fronted by lead vocalist Matt Doyle. This tour also marks a transition into larger production and bigger venues compared to previous years.
UB40 is recognized as the world’s biggest-selling reggae group, a status supported by more than 100 million albums sold worldwide and over 11 years spent collectively on the music charts. Their significance in the global reggae scene is defined by several key factors:
Commercial Dominance and Chart Success: The band has achieved massive mainstream success with global #1 hits such as “Red Red Wine” and “(I Can’t Help) Falling in Love With You”. In the United Kingdom alone, they have secured more than 50 charting singles and 17 Top 10 albums. Their recent 2024 release, UB45, continued this trend by reaching #5 on the UK official album chart.
Critical Recognition: Often referred to as “pop-reggae legends,” the group has received four Grammy Award nominations, including for Best Reggae Album. They are considered one of the most influential British groups of all time.
Longevity and Cultural Origins: Formed in 1978 in Birmingham, England, the group originated from a group of friends with working-class roots. They have maintained a continuous presence in the industry for over 45 years, evolving through multiple lead vocalists while keeping a core of founding members.
Broadening the Reggae Audience: The band’s impact is also seen in their ability to attract a diverse and growing global audience. Founding member Jimmy Brown has noted that over their decades of touring—including five consecutive recent years in North America—the crowds have become increasingly diverse, reflecting the band’s wide-reaching appeal.
By blending traditional reggae with pop sensibilities, UB40 has maintained a “constant” presence in the genre, performing at major amphitheaters and performing arts centers globally.
Source: UB40