It’s a Glaswegian invasion at Scarborough as Simple Minds and Del Amitri wow a sunny seaside audience

★★★★★ (5/5)

SIMPLE MINDS PEEFORMING AT SCARBOROUGH’S OPEN AIR THEATRE
PHOTOCREDIT: JOHN HAYHURST

I went to Leeds Arena about a month or so ago to photograph Simple Minds (and Del Amitri) and I don’t know if you are aware but the official photographers usually only get 3 songs before we are removed from the ‘pit’ as they call it. On that night I was in the pit for ‘Waterfront’, ‘Love Song’ and ‘The American’ and after experiencing 3 of my favourite Simple Minds songs at such close quarters live, I vowed I had to come back and watch the whole show in Scarborough.

That's why I’m here, and I also get to enjoy the full show of Del Amitri too, which will potentially be one of Justin Currie’s last tours as he is sadly slowly succumbing to Parkinsons disease, which means retirement is only a matter of time away.

Simple Minds generously give their fellow ‘Weigies’ a good 3 quarters of an hour set. That is more than enough time to roll out the big hitters like ‘Always the last to know’ and ‘Driving with the brakes on’ but equally they can expand into ‘Missing Person’ relatively newer songs that don’t look out of place at all in their set.

Lead guitarist Iain Harvie is the animated one though, his ponytail didn’t stay in long as he was the first to start shaking his head about and pulling some great rock guitarist poses. I half expected them to jokingly play ‘Don’t come home too soon’ for the Scotland football teams performance in the Euros the previous night but it was ‘Nothing Ever Happens’ that got the whole crowd joining in. Brilliant songwriting and classic harmonies from this band, the impeccable sound system at Scarborough proving its worth again tonight.

Simple Minds walk on to the stage and start ‘Waterfront’ exactly as they did in Leeds. The song is a call to arms - literally! everyone getting them aloft and clapping along to that bassline. Singer Jim Kerr says “Are we ready Scarborough?” and then proceeds to count the intro in with a “One...Two….Three…” An explosion of guitars and drums and we are off on another expansive trip down musical memory lane. I saw them open the ‘Sparkle in the Rain’ tour in the 80’s with that song and it hasn’t lost any of its power or euphoria.

Founding members Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill have been friends since their school days, and Kerr said that whilst this is the first time they have played Scarborough, it isn’t the first time they have been here, as they used to have family holidays in the area.

Kerr is in a playful mood too, he pulls the most incredible lunges, almost doing the splits and then to top it all off he falls to his knees and arches his back till his head is touching the floor. Then gets up, sits on a stage monitor and mouths “I’m f##ked” to the camera. He then steals vocalist Sarah Brown’s hat and wears it himself, much to her amusement.

Then 2 title tracks of albums ‘Once Upon A Time’ and ‘Sons and Fascination’ followed. So no repeat of ‘Love Song’ or ‘The American’ tonight, which goes to show they are switching it up each time they play. The only newish song they will play is ‘The Signal and the Noise’ from their 2018 album.

It really felt like hit after hit of euphoric anthemic music from those classic mid 80’s albums, they were a dominant force at that time, and I still recall the Milton Keynes Bowl show where they were supported by The Cult, The Bangles and The Waterboys. Tonight, some 35 years later, none of that energy has seemingly been lost.

The bombastic drum sound that Cherisse Osei drives from her kit is incredible to hear and watch on ‘Sanctify Yourself’. The classic synth led ‘New Gold Dream’ with everyone singing the “81..82..83..84” chorus was a highlight, and this led to a short drum solo – for Jim and Charlie to take a break before the hush around the arena for the majestic ‘Belfast Child’.

Then back to it again for the run in to the break with fan favourite ‘Someone Somewhere in Summertime’ followed by a ridiculously good and loud sing-along to ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’.

Vocalist Sarah Brown made her presence felt when she opens the encore by singing nearly all of ‘Book of Brilliant Things’ whilst Kerr sits near the drums wearing his shades. ‘See the Lights’ followed before a rousing finale of ‘Alive and Kicking’.

Simple Minds are clearly Alive and Kicking themselves, as they continue to tour the world with this show. “This won’t be the last time we play Scarborough” Kerr tells this audience and I for one will be back when they do return.