Ali Campbell's SunBet Arena shows prove that great songs never go out of style

There are concerts where people come to discover new music. 

Then there are concerts where people arrive already knowing every word. 

Singer Ali Campbell's two-night stop in Pretoria this weekend was firmly the latter. 

Following overwhelming demand from South African fans, the British reggae-pop icon took to the stage at SunBet Arena at Time Square Casino on both Saturday, 6 June and Sunday, 7 June 2026, after the original show sold out and a second performance was added. 

And judging by the crowd response, the decision was more than justified. 

From the moment Campbell walked onto the stage, it was clear that this wasn't simply a concert. It was a nostalgic celebration shared by generations of fans who have spent decades listening to his unmistakable blend of reggae, pop, and feel-good classics. 

One concertgoer summed up the experience perfectly. 

"It was wonderful. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. The hour and a half flew by just like that," they said. 

For many in attendance, one of the evening's highlights was seeing Campbell return to the stage. While time may have passed since his chart-dominating years, his voice remains remarkably familiar. 

"Ali Campbell looked old, but his voice hasn't changed a bit. We were not disappointed," the fan added. 

And that seemed to be the overwhelming sentiment throughout the arena. 

What makes the music endure isn't just nostalgia. It's the fact that songs like Red Red Wine, Kingston Town, and Can't Help Falling in Love have become woven into the soundtrack of people's lives. They're the songs played at family braais, weddings, road trips, and celebrations. The kind of songs people don't simply listen to, but remember. 

Nowhere was that more evident than during Red Red Wine. 

As the opening notes filled the arena, fans jumped to their feet and transformed the venue into one giant singalong. 

"The famous song 'Red Red Wine' got everyone on their feet shouting their lungs out. It was awesome," another attendee shared. 

It's a scene that has played out across continents for decades, yet somehow still feels special every time. 

The evening was also a reminder that longevity in music is rarely accidental. While trends come and go, artists who create songs rooted in emotion, connection, and shared experiences tend to stand the test of time. 

And if Pretoria's sold-out weekend performances proved anything, it's that great songs never really age. 

Neither, it seems, does the joy of singing them at the top of your lungs alongside thousands of other people.