Like fine wine, (make that fine red, red wine!) UB40 seems to get better with age. Proof of that is there for all to see and enjoy every day on the reggae-pop legend’s very successful 2024-25 UK and EU tour. Fans of all ages, many of whom were not yet a twinkle in their father’s eye when the band was formed in Birmingham 45 years ago, could be seen singing and swaying to the inviting rhythm of the 10-piece group’s music.

The crowd’s involvement in every show, and the hefty size of the band must both be taken into account when lighting a UB40 show. Audience lighting must be prevalent enough so the crowd and band can see one another without distracting from the laid back vibe – and the stage deck has to be clear, so that the members of the band can move to the music.

Martin Dudley of Martin’s Lights Ltd., has been meeting these and other challenges with style and flair since he became UB40’s lighting designer and director in 2019. Other designers have come before him in the band’s long history. He is drawing on the traditions they established while adding new updated twists of his own, all while having fun while touring the world with a very special band and a crew made up of really nice people.

There are 10 members of this band. So, the stage can get kind of crowded sometimes. How does that impact you as a designer?
“The most important thing with a UB40 show is that the audience can see the band, so front light is really important and can be a challenge, especially with several members of the band constantly moving, leaning over the front edge of the stage, and often going to the very downstage left and right corners. I specify enough moving wash lights on the front truss to cover the whole stage, and although I’m not a big fan of follow spots, we’ve just started using front truss mounted remote control units which has been a bit of a revelation for making sure no band member can find a dark spot onstage!”

With so many different band members, do you get a lot of different feedback on your designs?
“Not really – I discuss lighting ideas with the band’s management but they largely trust my judgement and let me get on with the job.”

UB40’s songs are so familiar to so many people. How does that influence your design? Do you stick with classical, familiar looks, or do you update the show with something fresh?
“The audience’s familiarity with the songs doesn’t directly influence my design, but of course as a lighting designer you have a responsibility to the band, to the audience and to yourself to make sure your work lives up to expectations, particularly when the band’s music has been part of so many peoples’ lives for so long.

“I don’t know if my looks are classical and familiar, but of course I’m not the band’s first lighting designer and when I started with them, I looked at some shows from before my time with the band, took some loose ideas for some songs from those, and updated them with my own style. On this current UB45 tour, the band are also playing several new songs, so those have been lit with my own ideas from scratch.”

Does the band ever make special requests of you as a designer?
“Yes – I was specifically asked from my start with the band to make ‘Red Red Wine’ as red as possible!”

Do you have a favorite UB40 song?
“I really like the band’s earliest, most political songs like ‘Food For Thought’ and ‘One In Ten,’ and I also like their brand new song ‘Home,’ which has a similar theme.”

What’s the best thing about working for UB40?
“It’s great of course to work for such a well-known band, and it’s also nice to visit new and interesting places. I’ve added Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands and the US Virgin Islands to my ‘countries visited’ list since I started with them. As always, working with a great crew is what makes touring enjoyable, and we have an excellent crew with UB40.”

How has working for UB40 shape your career as a designer?
“It’s hard to say how working for UB40 has shaped my career, but as I’m well into my forth decade as a lighting designer, I hope I’ve brought everything I’ve learned over the years to my work with them.”