Brilliant boys on home ground; REVIEW UB40 National Exhibition Centre.

Byline: TONY COLLINS

LEGENDARY reggae boys UB40 made a triumphant homecoming as they performed in front of thousands of familiar faces in their native Birmingham.

After nearly 30 years on the road following their 1980 launch, the band - still headed by brothers Ali and Robin Campbell - are back on home territory with two huge shows at the NEC to end their current UK tour.

And, after picking up a Lifetime Achievement gong at the recent Urban Music Awards, who is to say that their next honour won't be a place on the Birmingham Walk of Stars?

Certainly, UB40 are "very high on the list" as far as Broad Street manager Mike Olley is concerned, describing the band as his "personal heroes".

That view was clearly shared last night by their legion of fans, who have helped UB40 sell more than 60 million records worldwide.

Fans were treated to tracks from the band's new Dub Sessions album before they exploded onto the stage to the strains of All I Want To Do, immediately followed by Stick By Me.

With their unique reggae sound perfected over nearly three decades, Ali and the band cranked things up with Higher Ground and Sing Our Own Song.

Other great and familiar hits flowed throughout the two-hour show, ranging from Cherry Oh Baby to Rat In Mi Kitchen, while support act Maxi Priest took over vocals on I Shot The Sheriff.

But it was left to the superb Kingston Town and Many Rivers To Cross to finally bring the curtain down.

UB40 return to the NEC for a second Birmingham concert tonight.

Verdict: *****

CAPTION(S):

UNIQUE... Ali Campbell on stage at the NEC.