UB40 Eyes Reggae Vibes for a Future James Bond Theme Tune!

UB40, the legendary reggae band from Birmingham, has been making music for decades and continues to entertain fans around the world. After recently returning from a successful tour in the United States, which included a memorable performance with Rod Stewart in Mexico, the band is gearing up for a major UK tour in June 2026. This tour will feature 13 dates, starting at the Brighton Centre on June 1 and ending with a special homecoming show at Birmingham's BP Pulse Live Arena on June 20. UB40 will be joined by fellow reggae artists Maxi Priest and Aswad, promising an exciting lineup for fans of the genre. The band members, who are now in their 60s, show no signs of slowing down and are enthusiastic about sharing their new music and classic hits with audiences across the country.

One interesting story from UB40's past is their connection to the James Bond film franchise. About 30 years ago, the band was asked to create a theme song for the 1995 Bond movie GoldenEye, which starred Pierce Brosnan. UB40 wrote a song called Until My Dying Day, but unfortunately, they were unable to deliver it in time for the film's release. As a result, the theme song for GoldenEye was performed by Tina Turner and written by Bono and The Edge from U2. Despite missing out on the opportunity, UB40's drummer and founding member Jimmy Brown said the band would still love to have another chance to create a Bond theme. He pointed out that there has never been a reggae track as a Bond theme and believes it would be a unique and exciting addition to the franchise.

UB40's connection to the film world doesn't end there. The band has developed a friendship with screenwriter Steven Knight, who is involved in the next James Bond film. Knight has spent time in Digbeth, Birmingham, where UB40 has recorded music for many years. Jimmy Brown joked that they might try to convince Knight to let them write a Bond song by taking him out for a drink. UB40's new album, set to be released in the spring, was recorded in a new studio just 100 yards from their usual spot in Digbeth. One of the standout tracks from the album is Home, written by their singer Matt Doyle about his Irish family's journey to Birmingham. Brown expressed his love for playing the song live and praised Doyle's songwriting. The band members enjoy each other's company and consider themselves more like brothers than just colleagues. With their upcoming tour and new album, UB40 is excited to continue making music and sharing their passion with fans for years to come.