UB40 feat Ali Campbell to perform in Colchester Castle Park in 2025

Second headliner announced in huge summer of live music for Colchester.

Undisputed kings of UK reggae, UB40 featuring Ali Campbell is the next announcement for the Colchester Castle Summer Series, a huge, new series of open-air concerts, set against the stunning backdrop of Lower Castle Park. This exciting, new event will showcase some of the UK’s most celebrated artists and bands. 

Fuelled by the voice that powered UB40 to 70 million record sales and over fifty UK chart hits, Ali Campbell is again bringing some much-needed reggae cheer into the world as he takes the latest incarnation of his extraordinary band to the world’s biggest stages, including Colchester Castle Summer Series on Sunday 17th August 2025. Plus very special guests, Bitty McLean, Pato Banton, and Trojan Sound System.

Building on a legacy that dates back 45 years to his formative years in inner-city Birmingham, singer and guitarist Ali’s touring ensemble remains the most authentic realisation of UB40’s original aim of advancing reggae in all its guises.

After reaching number four on the charts with their double A-sided debut single Food For Thought, the band released their album Signing Off in 1980. They went on to top the UK singles chart four times with hits like Red Red Wine, I Got You Babe, (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You, and Baby Come Back. Over the years, they have received four Grammy Award nominations for Best Reggae Album and were nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Group in 1984.

I think I’ve got the best reggae band in the world, and you can quote me on that,’ Ali Campbell says. ‘They are all seasoned musicians, who have spent all their lives in professional bands, and I feel so confident with them. We can play in the UK, Africa or an island like Fiji, and people will be buzzing afterwards. The past few years have been tough for a lot of people. There’s a lot of darkness in the world. I’ve lost close friends long before their time. But life goes on, and this group seems to leave a good vibe wherever we play.’

With each show welcoming up to 10,000 attendees, the Colchester Castle Summer Series is set to be the largest music event the city has seen in years. This unique celebration of live music promises to deliver unforgettable performances in the heart of one of England’s most historic and scenic locations.

The team behind the event, promoters Soundcrash and Supermodified, are well-known in the UK for hosting popular events like the Margate Summer Series, London’s South Facing Festival, Hitchin Priory Series, and Cardiff Bay Series.

Further line-up announcements are to follow.