UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell to Bring 'Big Love World Tour' to Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are set to host one of Britain’s most influential reggae bands as part of their Big Love World Tour. The visit, which takes place between late July and early August, highlights the regional government’s ongoing efforts to bring world-class musical acts to the islands.

Led by original vocalist Ali Campbell, the band will perform at the Gran Canaria Arena on July 31, followed by a show at the Palmetum parking area in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on August 1. Organizers, Atlántico Producciones, have announced that Tenerife-based group Ruts & La Isla Music will open both shows, with doors opening at 6:00 PM.

Since forming in Birmingham in 1978, the band has sold over 70 million records worldwide. Their history has been complicated by internal splits since Campbell’s departure in 2008, leading to different groups performing under the band's legacy. This tour features Campbell alongside a backing band that has performed together for over a decade, following the passing of member Astro in 2021 and the departure of Mickey Virtue in 2019.

The setlist will draw from their 21 studio albums—ranging from their 1980 debut to their latest release, UB45—with a focus on the hits that defined their success in the 80s and 90s, particularly from the albums Labour of Love and Promises and Lies. Fans can look forward to classics like "Red, Red Wine" and "Kingston Town." The tour is supported by the Government of the Canary Islands through the Ministry of Tourism and the Canary Institute of Cultural Development.

Tickets for the Tenerife show are available now via Tomaticket. Options include general admission, Front Stage access, VIP areas, and spaces for those with reduced mobility. The tour remains a rare opportunity to see a legendary act that, despite its turbulent history, continues to draw large audiences around the world.