UB40 at Long Beach Mauritius: A Tropical Interview

From the 19th to 22nd of July, Sunlife had the honour of hosting the legendary English reggae band UB40 at Long Beach Mauritius during their tour stop in Mauritius. Between beachside strolls and a sold-out concert at SVICC, we sat down with lead singer Matt Doyle and founding member Robin Campbell for a heartfelt, humorous, and sun-soaked interview, where they reflected on music, memories, and the magic of Mauritius.

Here’s what they had to say:

Honouring the Legacy

As the band’s newest lead singer, Matt Doyle joins a powerful legacy... and he's clearly aware of that responsibility. “I'm a lifelong fan of UB40’s music,” he shares. “So for me, coming in, I knew how I'd want to hear the songs if I was down in the crowd. It was always about keeping it true to the record but allowing a bit of my own flair to come through. I think I've balanced that line pretty well so far.”

A Journey Full of Unforgettable Moments

Robin Campbell, founding member, guitarist, and lyricist, took us back through some of the most meaningful chapters in UB40’s journey: “Being inducted into the Māori nation in New Zealand, that was pretty special. We thought we were going to a press conference, and we ended up in a football stadium with thousands of people singing to us. I’m now officially an honorary Māori.”

Another standout memory? “Playing South Africa after apartheid was outlawed and Mandela was president. We played to a quarter of a million people over three days. We still hold the live record there. It was emotional... to go and sing songs that had once been banned and hear people singing them back to us.”

Writing Music and Finding A New Voice

Despite nearly five decades of success, UB40’s creative spark shows no signs of fading, thanks in part to Matt Doyle’s arrival.

“We’ve always made the music together, just jamming,” says Robin. “We don’t write music first, we just play, and then members write lyrics. Now we’ve got Matt, who hasn’t written 300 songs like we have. So he’s full of new ideas. He’s finding a new way of saying what we’ve always been saying, and it reinvigorates us.”

For Matt, that energy works both ways. He recalls one special night that crystallised his place in the band: “Probably when we played at the Hollywood Bowl in LA. I got on that catwalk and danced with the audience... it just clicked. I wasn’t thinking, I was just doing. And I was having fun with it.”

Humility On and Off Stage

What’s the most important lesson Matt’s learned from his bandmates?

“Kindness goes a long way. No matter how much we’ve travelled or how tired we are, if someone comes up and wants to say hello or take a photo, we smile, shake their hand, and make time. It’s the fans who made this band who they are, and these guys haven’t forgotten that at all.”

Songs That Hit Different

Over time, even the songs themselves take on new meaning. Robin shares the emotional weight behind “Kingston Town”: “When we recorded it, it was a tribute to Lord Creator. Now we also dedicate it to Brian Travers, our sax player who passed away. There’s a different emotion now. I always think of Brian.”

Matt echoed the sentiment on Kingston Town being an emotional UB40 song that reminds him of Brian, and he shared that: “Through singing his lyrics and playing his songs, I feel like I’ve really got to know him better. Makes me wish I had more time with him.”

The Magic of Long Beach and Mauritius

What did Mauritius spark for UB40? “Being here makes me want to write about happy things,” Matt smiles. “Love songs. Nature. Being in paradise.”

For Robin, it was all about the vibe: “It’s so relaxed, the people are lovely, and the welcome was beautiful. I just wish we had more time.”

Both artists were struck by their first impressions of Long Beach. “We were greeted with music, dancing, mocktails... it was the warmest welcome I think I’ve ever had,” says Matt. “Walking out and being on the beach straight from my room... this really is paradise.”

The Concert and The Mauritian Crowd

Their concert at SVICC was a high-energy highlight.

“It was a seated venue,” Matt notes, “but two or three songs in, everyone was on their feet dancing. It felt electric. You want the audience to be a part of the show, and that’s what we got from the Mauritian crowd.”

Robin agrees: “We’re singing and playing and dancing and having a good time. That’s exactly what we want the audience to do. By the time we got to ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’, it was like a choir.”

Until Next Time…

Before wrapping up the interview, both artists shared a heartfelt wish.

“Have us back very soon,” said Matt. “It’s been a fantastic experience.”

“We’ll definitely be back,” Robin added, “at a bigger venue where you have to stand.”

As the sun set on their final evening at Long Beach Mauritius, it was clear UB40’s visit wasn’t just a another stop on their tour... it was a shared memory, both for the band and everyone lucky enough to welcome them in Mauritius.

Be sure to watch the full filmed UB40 interview on YouTube: UB40 Interview in Mauritius