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Artist News
UB40 announce Kioko’s Matt Doyle as new vocalist
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 6 July 2021
UB40 have announced Kioko’s Matt Doyle as their new vocalist, following the departure of Duncan Campbell last week.
A fellow Birmingham musician, Doyle has previously supported UB40 with Kioko, and he also provided lead vocals on the song ‘You Don’t Call Anymore’ on the band’s new collaborations album ‘Bigga Biggariddum’, which was released last month.
“Matt has already demonstrated his ability and compatibility with the band on our latest album ‘Bigga Baggariddim’ with the track ‘You Don’t Call Anymore'”, says UB40 guitarist Robin Campbell. “He’s a talented young man with a voice and singing style that will prove to be a good fit and a great asset to the band. And on top of all that he’s a nice guy, too”.
Doyle adds: “I don’t quite know how to put into words just how incredibly honoured and grateful I feel to be given this opportunity. I have loved UB40’s music for as long as I can remember and that love has only grown since getting to know them and watching them play live night after night on tour”.
“They took Kioko under their wing and gave us the opportunity of a lifetime by inviting us out on tour”, he goes on, “and although I’ll deeply miss playing shows with Kioko I know that they will carry on to do incredible things and that we will always remain the best of mates”.
Duncan Campbell took time away from the band last year after he had a stroke. He had been expected to return for the band’s next round of touring, but announced his retirement in June following a seizure.
Meanwhile the group’s original vocalist, Ali Campbell, now performs separately from the main UB40 outfit, usually under the name UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell & Astro.
