Simple Minds – AO Arena, Manchester: Live Review

By Mike Ainscoe on 18th March 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

Simple Minds – AO Arena, Manchester – 16th March 2024

“Step in step out of the rain…”

With New Zealand, Australia and Dubai already under the belt, the Simple Minds 2024 Global tour hits Manchester. A modern and thriving European city with a music culture and heritage second to none as witnessed by WOMEX heading to the city this year, Manchester’s industrial roots still show in a dank drizzle welcome for whom Jim Kerr is to soon remind us, “the mighty Simple Minds.”

Recent visits to the city have seen the Minds ensconced in the Apollo and also in the intimate Albert Hall which hoste done of the Walk Between World launch gigs. However, they have big music for big stages and big arenas and although Manchester doesn’t sell every seat, there’s the usual fervent welcome as the lights go down and those seated on the floor area rise to their feet to narrow the gap between themselves and a frontman who works the very perimeters of the stage.

That starts after the not totally unexpected thumping intro to Waterfront pumps out, Sparkle In The Rain album graphics appear on the videos screens and we get the first declaration of the evening of the equally familiar “Let me see those hands.”

It’s a set that’s build on the solid foundation of the glory days of New Gold Dream and Once Upon A Time – a constant stream of songs that blend the hits with the anthems. Interestingly enough, waterfront breached and the ice broken, we head into a sequence that travels back to the likes of Empires And Dance and Real To Reel Cacophony that scratch away at the opening of the decade that saw the band elevate themselves into a global phenomenon . There may be many who don’t quite recognise the deeper cuts and the easy dance groove of This Fear Of Gods although clearly get off on some of Charlie’s power chording on Premonition that kicks in after the low tech keyboarding.

There’s a nod to the most recent album from 2022 in Solstice Kiss that acts as a brief reminder that the Minds are a going concern but the emphasis is squarely on a second half that launches into a run that pleases crowds and provides the evidence and the reasons why Simple Minds can put on a show in large arenas by dazzling the people with what they want. That goes with plenty of opportunities to raise those hands and holler boisterously along with “hey hey hey hey‘s” and “whoa oh oohhh‘s”

Not so much a sidesman these days, Kerr’s compadre, “Charlie Burch-HILL” strolls humbly about the front edges (getting a little in-ear monitor assistance from his buddy at one point), mouthing the lyrics while adding his decoration with regular changeovers from a very nice looking guitar collection while Ged Grimes has made the left flank his own with pumping bass lines and a slightly menacing presence. It’s a Simple Minds big band these days too and if there’s not enough energy emanating from the powerhouse drumming of Cherisse Osei, she gets to solo before the goosebump chills of the hit parade topping Belfast Child.

A reminder that those hits are big hits too. Half a set is made from chart botherers of which four hit the top ten. Can’t argue with the the spin of the stats and although they may be a couple of decades adrift from those sorts of commercial highs, Jim, Charlie et al can still knock out a show that large numbers of people want to hear them play. Good songs never die.

At mention of “Please let us do one more!” before Sanctify Yourself, you have to admire Jim and Charlie – the unlikley lads done good.