UB40 rock the house at Aviation Club

Playing live is what veteran and the now reunited UB40 do best.

Fronted by original band members Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue, the trio won the crowd during a thrill-a-minute concert at a jam-packed Aviation Club Tennis Stadium.

What UB40 demonstrated during the two-hour gig was that music goes beyond all boundaries.

After opening with the self-examining Here I Am (Take Me As I Am), a cover of the Al Green hit, the band sparked a power-pop explosion that lasted all through the night.

It was amazing to see how well Ali and Co can still exude the passion and ability that they trumpeted when forming in Birmingham, England, in the late 70s. Ali, in particular, is an exceptional frontman, even if he does not say much on stage. His trademark soprano soared confidently into the stands at the tennis stadium and at times, Astro’s hip-hop vocals mirrored the exuberance that the band members shared in hits such as Rat In The Kitchen and Groovin’.

UB40 have sold more than 70 million records worldwide and have been touring the globe for over 40 years and that longevity was very much in evidence on Thursday night. With the crowd enjoying the moment, the band stormed into the mega hits Kingston Town and Can’t Help Falling in Love.

There was a delightful spontaneity to the evening as the audience responded to the singalong selections.

Watching Ali, who is pushing 60, made me doubt the mind-set that getting old is not so much fun. The myth was exploded vociferously in soaring renditions of Cherry Oh Baby, Many Rivers to Cross and Silhouettes.

Ali and Astro performed a mega encore that peaked with the delightful Red Red Wine, a cover of the 1967 hit written by Neil Diamond and popularised by UB40. Songwriter Diamond has said it is one of his favorite covers of his songs.

Given the constant touring the UB40 are committed to fans around the world have so much to look forward to if they keep churning out performances like they did in Dubai.