Watch UB40 - Live at Montreux 2002

UB40 - Live at Montreux 2002 is a concert film featuring the world-renowned reggae-pop band UB40, recorded during their performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in July 2002. This concert showcases the group's talent in performing some of their greatest hits from their extensive and illustrious career spanning over two decades.

The film opens with a shot of the picturesque Montreux, located on the shores of Lake Geneva, where the world-famous jazz festival takes place annually. The intro paves the way for the electrifying performance of one of the industry's top record-selling groups of all time, UB40.

The band's opening act, 'Present Arms,' is one of the earliest hits from their esteemed career, dating back to 1981. UB40 performs a mix of both old and new songs throughout the concert, displaying their versatility and the blending of different music genres, including reggae, pop, and R&B.

The setlist truly takes the audience on a journey through UB40's career, with early classics such as 'Kingston Town' and 'Red Red Wine' to later hits like 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' and 'Love is All Is Alright.' The band effortlessly delivers stellar performances of all these tracks, cementing their reputation as one of the most successful, enduring reggae-pop bands of all time.

The stage and lighting design are simple, but the performance still packs a punch, with each song's light show being well-coordinated with the music, adding to the overall ambiance. The entire band's energy, including many members' interchanging vocal abilities, is a testament to their long-standing music career and dedication to put on an entertaining show for their dedicated fan base.

UB40's lead singer, Ali Campbell, takes center stage on several occasions, captivating the audience with his powerful, soulful voice. The rhythm section of bassist Earl Falconer and drummer James Brown keeps the audience moving, complemented by the brass section, including saxophonist Brian Travers and trumpeter Patrick Tenyue. The backing vocalists, including Campbell's brother Robin and the band's keyboard player, release excellent harmonies throughout each song.

The inclusion of a few covers in the set, including 'I'll Be Your Baby Tonight' and 'Homely Girl,' felt like a refreshing change that allowed the band to experiment a bit outside their conventional sound. It was an excellent opportunity for the band to display their versatility and talent beyond their reggae roots.

One of the highlights of the concert was the performance of 'Cherry Oh Baby,' a mid-80s amalgamation of reggae and pop that connected with audiences worldwide. The audience couldn't help but dance and sing along to the classic tune even after the song's end.

UB40's set is filled with classics that still resonate with music lovers even in this day and age. The most recognizable hit of the band, "Red Red Wine," receives the loudest cheers from the enthusiastic audience as soon as its opening strums start playing. The band effortlessly transforms the song into a sing-along moment, completing a perfect circle of music magic with the fans taking the lead on most of the lyrics.

The concert finishes with a rousing performance of "Can't Help Falling in Love," the iconic Elvis Presley classic that UB40 reinvented for a new generation in 1993. The song is a fitting tribute to the original artist and puts the perfect cap to an excellent performance.

Overall, UB40 - Live at Montreux 2002 is a musical masterpiece of reggae's finest hour, celebrated in style in Montreux Jazz Festival's beautiful location. The concert's quality is exceptional, and the group's effort to mix and blend different production elements pays off in full. Even if the concert is from 2002, it is still engrossing, and every element feels as good a fit then as it would be in today's concerts.

UB40 - Live at Montreux 2002 is a beautiful tribute and document of the band's unwavering dedication to their music and their fans, making it an essential watch for both fans of reggae and pop music. It is a great encapsulation of the band's career of creating unique, catchy music that appeals to music lovers of all ages.

UB40 - Live at Montreux 2002 is a musical with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes.