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UB40 raise the roof for threatened pub

Midlands legends UB40 returned to their roots as they staged an intimate one-off concert to help raise money for a threatened Birmingham pub.

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The reggae favourites performed at The Rainbow Warehouse in Digbeth last night as part of a fundraiser for nearby pub The Rainbow which is under threat after being hit with a noise abatement order. nextpage
Ten members of the band took to the stage at 10pm playing to a sold-out crowd of just 350, with all money raised from the £20 tickets going towards a new £30,000 soundproof roof for the pub following complaints over noise from residents in nearby apartments. Guitarist Robin Campbell urged the crowd to sing along as they rolled out a mixture of covers and their own classic hits, saying: "This is a Raise the Roof gig, so we want to hear you raise the roof."nextpage
The Digbeth-based band were performing for free after offering to do their bit to aid the campaign to keep live music venues up and running in the city. nextpage
It is hoped work on the new roof will be able to start shortly, with bosses having earlier raised £15,000 towards the Raise the Roof campaign with a summer street festival. UB40's sax player Brian Travers said it was important they kept grassroots music venues going in the region, as music used to be one of Britain's most famous exports around the world. nextpage
The popular pub in Digbeth High Street has hosted the likes of Joss Stone, Finley Quaye and Ladyhawke has been served with the order following complaints of noise nuisance. It could mean the venue is forced to abandon live concerts and late night events in its courtyard if the new soundproofing measures are not put in place.
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