Live Review

Simple Minds – Wembley Arena, London

• 5th Dec 2008

As the end track of the ‘Once Upon a Time’ album suggests – ‘Come Along Way.’ Listening to the wide spread of music that is played tonight you’d be inclined to agree. 31 years together, and this the 30th anniversary of playing live – Simple Minds have collected together a vast array of easily identifiable tunes from the very late 70s to present day. The majority of the hits may come from the 80’s but that should by no means play down the changes the band went through in the years that followed. Both singles played tonight from the ‘Good News From the Next World’ album (Hypnotized & She’s a River) are both instantly recognizable and come with riffs that are almost iconic.

With Scot fellows Deacon Blue serving up more than enough warmth and vibe to get the crowd ready performing some of their own identifiable tracks, Simple Minds come to the stage full of vigor. Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill in particular soak up the atmosphere instantly and for the first few songs play to an adoring crowd (Not to mention a large group of press in the pit at the front). Kerr makes it perfectly clear that he is not shy about posing, and is here to entertain. Although there is a new album –tonight is to service the past accomplishments. And starting off in bombastic style with ‘Waterfront’ is an apt way to begin.

Throughout the evening the band find time to visit the entire ‘New Gold Dream 81, 82, 83, 84” album. Burchill excels himself throughout the night and puts great emphasis on some of the albums B-Sides. ‘Somebody Up There Likes You,’ the instrumental number from NGD is a pure highlight. But its moments like these that define Burchill as what he is, a truly great guitarist and showman.

Kerr handles himself very well for the first half of the show, perhaps finding some of the lesser played numbers harder to keep momentum with later on. But when they reach the crescendo tune ‘Belfast Child’ he picks up again. He comes back even stronger after the short break to perform ‘She’s a River,’ ‘Sanctified’ and finally ‘Alive and Kicking.’

Although there were beats maybe missed (The last two tunes were the only stops off in the ‘Once Upon a Time Album’ and the ‘Real Life’ album didn’t get much of a look in) the show still lasted two hours and was brimmed with energy and even the odd delight (Like when drummer Mel Gaynor took over vocals on a song, giving Kerr a run for his money). But with them all pushing 50, it’s great to see that they can kick many of today’s acts off a stage with ease.