SIMPLE MINDS // BARROWLANDS, GLASGOW
SIMPLE MINDS RETURN TO THEIR HOME TOWN FOR SENSATIONAL SELL OUT SHOW
SIMPLE MINDS PERFORMING AT BARROWLANDS, GLASGOW - 13.02.2018
PICTURE: STEPHEN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★★★
Simple Minds packed out The Barras for a sensational show, returning to their old stomping ground to promote their new record ‘Walk Between Worlds’. Introduced on stage by veteran broadcaster and music journalist Billy Sloan, the band kicked off with a rousing version of ‘I Travel’, the opening track from 1980 album ‘Empires and Dance’. This was followed by ‘Celebrate’ from the same album. 1981 single, and fan favourite ‘Love Song’ came next along with ‘This Earth that You Walk Upon’, both tracks featuring on the 1981 album ‘Sons and Fascination’. The crowd were in raptures, the combination of the iconic Glasgow venue and the bands history of playing there creating an electric atmosphere.
A wee time out was called for, and Billy Sloan entered the stage to have a quick chat with Jim Kerr and colleague Charlie Burchill about their career in Simple Minds, which now spans an incredible 40 years! The current phase of Simple Minds includes mainstays Jim Kerr on vocals and Charlie Burchill on guitar and keyboards, and they are joined on stage by Ged Grimes on bass, Sarah Brown on backing vocals, Gordy Goudie on guitar, Cherisse Osei replacing Mel Gaynor on drums and Catherine AD on vocals and keyboards.
Back to the music, and now the band would play their new record 'Walk Between Worlds' in its entirety. Side one includes new single ‘Magic’, plus ‘Summer’, ‘Utopia’ and ‘In Dreams’. Another break now with Billy Sloan once again entered the stage to continue his interview with Jim and Charlie about their career and new recordings, before the band resumed with side two of the album now. ‘Signal and the Noise’ has a hint of music from times gone by, the wonderful ‘Barrowland Star’ and title track ‘Walk Between Worlds’ were both recorded at the historic Abbey Road Studios. ‘Sense of Discovery’ is another simple minds classic which doesn’t sound too unfamiliar to anthem ‘Alive And Kicking’. This was the end of the new album, which could only mean it was time for the big guns, surely what most of the packed crowd were there for.
1st track of the 3rd section of the show was ‘Waterfront’, from 1983 chart topping album ‘Sparkle In The Rain’. This classic track has its roots in The Barras. The video for the single was shot in the venue, which sparked the renaissance in the old dancehall, giving it a new lease of life as Glasgow’s new concert venue and it would soon firmly establish its self as one of Britain's finest gig venues.
‘Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)’ and ‘The American’ soon followed with ‘New Gold Dream’ closing the show. After a short breather the band returned for the first encore of the evening. ‘Sanctify Yourself’ and ‘Alive And Kicking’ both from the ‘Once Upon A Time’ album saw out this section of the night, and encore two closely followed.
A very modern take on the 1949 folk song ‘Dirty Old Town’, written by Ewan McColl about the old streets in Manchester was dedicated to the city as a token of sentiment after last year’s terror attack in the Manchester Arena. Jim Kerr was joined on lead vocals on this track with backing singer Sarah Brown. Alas, all great nights must come to an end and what better way to finish than with the timeless classic ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’, from the soundtrack of the 1985 movie ‘The Breakfast Club’. As the crowd left the venue with the song still ringing in their ears, there was little chance of anyone forgetting this night. A tremendous evening of musical entertainment by the Scottish band.
SIMPLE MINDS SETLIST - BARROWLANDS, GLASGOW - 13th February 2018
I Travel
Celebrate
Love Song
This Earth That You Walk Upon
Magic
Summer
Utopia
In Dreams
The Signal and the Noise
Barrowland Star
Walk Between Worlds
Sense of Discovery
Waterfront
Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
The American
New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
ENCORE 1:
Sanctify Yourself
Alive and Kicking
ENCORE 2:
Dirty Old Town (Ewan MacColl cover)
Don't You (Forget About Me)