Venue shift sees extra ticket sales for UB40

Tickets to the previously sold-out concert will go on sale again from 9am today.

UB40 fans who missed out on a spot at their coveted Black Barn show are in luck.

The reggae act's January 8 concert sold out in record time, with pre-sales snapped up in a minute, while the 1900-capacity venue was filled in just four hours.

Original members Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue, will be in New Zealand early next year for their first Red, Red Wine vineyard tour, starting in Havelock North.

Moving from the amphitheatre to a new venue in Tukituki Valley just minutes down the road, allowed organisers to more than double the event's capacity and release extra tickets.

"This feels like a great ongoing opportunity for Hawke's Bay, the amphitheatre will always be the focus for our Black Barn concerts but it is great to also be able to introduce larger events with international acts on an ongoing basis," events manager Francis de Jager says.

"We really want to make this a legendary venue - what we really love is that it's a Hawke's Bay space - you look across the river to Te Mata Peak, it's got places for corporate and VIP sections, pre-concert meals, we want to develop it as an extension of our destination, part of the Black Barn experience."

The plan was to make this an opportunity, to bring people to the region, attracting out-of-towners who will book accommodation, eat out and spend on retail.

Those who already have tickets in hand will be recognised as premium guests. While there is no specific seating, they will be placed closest to the stage with part of this area set aside for those who bring chairs and bean bags, they also get allocated parking.

"Demand for the concert has been extremely high and we have all been inundated with requests for tickets," promoter Jackie Sanders of Jacman Entertainment said.

Black Barn events manager Francis De Jager said a concert for UB40 will be moved to Black barn off site.

"Black Barn has worked hard to ensure we can accommodate disappointed fans whilst looking after the supporters who did book early - we are confident that this new venue will satisfy everyone and still be an amazing experience."

Buses will be another important means of transport - picking people up from Napier, Hastings and Havelock North before dropping them home again.

"We've had it in the back of our minds for a long time we have always been looking to attract an international artist," Mr de Jager added.

•Tickets to the previously sold-out concert will go on sale again from 9am today, available from blackbarn.com and eventfinder.co.nz. Adults: $99 plus booking fee, VIP $199. Children under 12, free - one per paying adult. Bus services to be announced.