UB40 is gearing up to celebrate 2026 with a signature toast of ‘Red Red Wine’ during the Coast-to-Coast Countdown in Las Vegas, a show that brings together iconic acts from across the country.
The 2026 Countdown and the Band’s Current Lineup
The event, set to be hosted in Las Vegas, will feature UB40 alongside Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Styx, Mac McAnally, Kevin Cronin Band, The Marshall Tucker Band, 38 Special, and Bri Bagwell. The band’s lineup for the show includes guitarist Robin Campbell, drummer Jimmy Brown, backing vocalist Matt Campbell (Robin’s son), and lead vocalist Matt Doyle, who joined the group in 2021 after Duncan Campbell’s retirement.
“We love what we do,” guitarist Robin Campbell said when asked how the band felt about going into 2026. “In fact, we’re enjoying it more now than ever. I’m wiser because we’ve got new members and we got Matt as our lead vocalist.”
Jimmy Brown added, “And also because we’re old,” and continued, “And every day above ground is a good day.”
A Quick Look at UB40’s Roots
UB40 formed in 1978, and the name comes from the UK government form used by unemployed people – Unemployment Benefit, Form 40. The band has seen 18 members over the decades, and its early days were shaped by a mix of unemployed musicians who gave up their jobs to play together. Campbell explained, “When we formed the band, half of the guys were unemployed, and the other half that had jobs gave them up to form the band. So we were all unemployed and one of our friends, who was also unemployed, suggested the name UB40, because that’s the identity card that you used to have when you were unemployed, and you presented.”
In 2021, the band announced that Matt Doyle, formerly of reggae group Kioko, would take over as vocalist after Duncan Campbell’s retirement. Duncan is the brother of Robin and a former bandmate and founder of the group alongside Ali Campbell.
The Legacy of ‘Red Red Wine’
The song that fans are expected to raise a glass to was originally written, performed, and recorded by Neil Diamond. UB40’s 1983 cover shot to number 1 in the UK and found success in the United States. Today, the track has accumulated over 800 million streams on Spotify.
“We love making new music, and we still play that in the sets,” Campbell added when asked about performing hits such as ‘Red Red Wine.’ “But it’s just a joy to play those old songs and have people sing them back to you. And, you know, there’s nothing better because it’s all about the emotional communication, you know, with your audience.”
“Yeah,” Brown agreed. “Because it’s not just, you know, I mean, we’ve had a few worldwide hits, and that’s just great to be able to scatter those through the set means that in between you can do other things, but then you keep coming back to these songs that everybody knows, you know, like ‘Can’t Fall in Love,’ ‘Red Red Wine’ obviously.”
A Vegas Memory That Stood Out
When the show was hosted in Las Vegas, Brown recalled a moment when the band performed outside, amid lights and fountains. He described the experience: “We were playing outside, and I mean, it’s all right, all the lights and fountains and everything’s going up,” Brown remembered. “And we did ‘Strange Fruit,’ the Billie Holiday tune, and it went down like a lead balloon in the front. It was much too serious and dark and for anybody in Vegas to enjoy, you know? So, that was a mistake.”
The band removed the song from their setlist following that show.
What’s Next for UB40
When asked what fans can expect in 2026, Brown said, “You know, I guess we don’t plan ahead that far,” before Campbell chimed in that they were working on another album “as we speak.”
Matt Campbell added, “Touring as always. We’re looking at going to, you know, our normal kind of roots, Europe, you know, America, going to Australia, New Zealand, you know, it’s very cyclical. Everything that we do and we really enjoy it.”
The band’s advice for anyone heading into 2026 is simple: buy their new album, which as of Dec. 12 remained untitled.
How to Catch the Show
UB40 will appear on Coast-to-Coast Countdown to 2026 alongside a lineup of celebrated artists. Check local listings for details on how to watch, or stream the live broadcast on the event’s website, where exclusive bonus content will be available.
Key Takeaways
- UB40 will toast 2026 with their iconic cover of ‘Red Red Wine’ during the Las Vegas Coast-to-Coast Countdown.
- The band’s current lineup includes Robin Campbell, Jimmy Brown, Matt Campbell, and lead vocalist Matt Doyle.
- Fans can look forward to a new album and ongoing touring plans across Europe, America, Australia, and New Zealand.
The band’s return to the stage is a testament to their enduring appeal and their ability to blend new material with beloved classics, ensuring that every night above ground remains a good day.
