Concert Review: Simple Minds, Soft Cell and Modern English Perform in Phoenix

From left, Charlie Burchill, Erik
Ljunggren and Jim Kerr on May 25.
Photo credit: Charles Edington

Alive & Kicking Tour 2025

Who: Simple Minds, Soft Cell, Modern English

Where: Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, AZ

When: Sunday, May 25, 2025

Next: Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on May 27; Moody Center in Austin, Texas on May 30; and other North American dates continuing through June 22, 2025

Information: 

https://www.simpleminds.com/tour/#dates

Review by Robert Kinsler

Simple Minds performing at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, AZ
on Sunday night, May 25, 2025. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

Simple Minds has embarked on the band's most ambitious North American tour in four decades, and based on the Scottish troupe's stop in Phoenix on Sunday night, the so-called "Alive & Kicking Tour 2025" is one of the most aptly-titled music tours in memory.

Jim Kerr in Phoenix on May 25.
Photo credit: Kim Kinsler

For 90 glorious minutes the seven-member troupe thrilled on an especially warm evening at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre with a mix of original material blending art rock, new wave, alt rock and synth pop into a signature sound that sounds as fresh and relevant today as it did in the 1980s. Impressive visuals — including visually stunning graphics that displayed on the rear and side projection screens — enhanced the concert.

With founding members Jim Kerr (lead vocals) and Charlie Burchill (lead guitar) leading the charge, the band's 18-song set built momentum from the time Simple Minds took the stage at 9:12 p.m. Opening with an explosive version of the band's 1983 worldwide hit "Waterfront," Kerr's powerful vocals were in artful sync with the song's luxurious arrangement. 

Simple Minds drummer Cherisse Osei in action.
Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

Other early set highlights included the arena-minded rocker "Speed Your Love to Me" bolstered by Cherisse Osei's fantastic drumming, "Let There Be Love" with Kerr going into the crowd to sing the sentimental song, the evocative "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" adorned with Burchill's atmospheric fret work and Sarah Brown's backing vocals, and the hard-charging electronica art rocker "This Fear of Gods."

From left,  Jim Kerr and Sarah Brown. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

Late set standouts included the sweeping "Promised You a Miracle," a powerhouse drum solo courtesy of Osei, a beautifully nuanced take on "See the Lights" showcasing Kerr's incredible lead vocals, and an extended version of "Don't You (Forget About Me)" that featured a lengthy crowd sing-along.

Jim Kerr impressing with his top-tier vocals.
Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

The encore included the soulful "Book of Brilliant Things" featuring Brown on lead vocals, and the one-two punch of the synth-swept "Alive and Kicking" and the anthemic rocker "Sanctify Yourself." The other members of Simple Minds include bassist Ged Grimes, acoustic guitarist Gordy Goudie and keyboardist Erik Ljunggren — all of whom whose talents contributed to a great set.

Modern English / Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

Opening the night was British band Modern English (seen above), whose current line-up includes original members Robbie Grey (lead vocals), Michael Conroy (bass, vocals), and Stephen Walker (keyboards). Over the course of 30 minutes the English outfit performed a mix of great new and old material. The Neo-punk rocker "Long in the Tooth" off the band's most recent album (last year's 1234) was especially powerful, while takes of their classic 1980s material (the reflective "Hands Across the Sea" and the set-ending "I Melt With You") also resonated with the audience.

Soft Cell / Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

Next up was Soft Cell, the English synth-pop duo founded by vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. The duo scored a dozen top 40 hits in the United Kingdom, but is best known in the U.S. for their hit "Tainted Love," the latter delivered via an extended version in Phoenix. Other highlights included the electronica techno opener "Memorabilia" (featuring snippets of several Madonna hits), the catchy "Purple Zone" with a lovely chorus and dance-minded "The Night" (the latter a cover of the Four Seasons' 1972 hit).

Simple Minds release 'First You Jump’ new single

Another fantastic advance track from Simple Minds' eagerly-awaited new album! Robert Kinsler

SIMPLE MINDS NEW SINGLE  “FIRST YOU JUMP”  OUT NOW

LISTEN HERE \ WATCH HERE

NEW SINGLE FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM DIRECTION OF THE HEART OUT OCTOBER 21, 2022 ON BMG

BUY HERE

SIMPLE MINDS NEW SINGLE "FIRST YOU JUMP" OUT NOW. THIS IS THE SECOND TRACK TAKEN FROM THE BAND'S EIGHTEENTH STUDIO ALBUM 'DIRECTION OF THE HEART'

‘First You Jump’ is a Kerr-Burchill co-write with Simple Minds’ long-time bassist Ged Grimes. It’s a classic transcendent Simple Minds anthem, one about the anxiety of the times and how we will rise above them. The accompanying video was filmed in July during the soundcheck for Simple Minds concert in the Ancient Theatre Taormina, Sicily. This stunning, historic setting is captured in panoramic and aerial camera shots, intercut with close ups of the band performing the song on a glorious sunny day. ‘First You Jump’ features on Direction Of The Heart, Simple Minds’ first album of new material since 2018’s outstanding UK Top 5 album Walk Between Worlds. Throughout its nine tracks Direction of The Heart finds the band at their most confident, anthemic best on an inspired celebration of life, none more so than on lead track ‘Vision Thing’. The concise nine-track album manages to perfectly encapsulate the essence of past and present Simple Minds, a band whose re-ascent over the past 10 years has seen them, once again, capture the magic and critical praise of their early days. Most of Direction Of The Heart’s tracks were created and demoed in Sicily, where both Kerr and Burchill live. Unable to come to the UK because of quarantine rules, the album was recorded at Hamburg’s Chameleon Studios. Here they produced the album (later enlisting Andy Wright ((Massive Attack, Echo & The Bunnymen)) and Gavin Goldberg ((Simply Red, KT Tunstall)) for additional production). Band members, bassist Ged Grimes (who also co-wrote the album’s ‘Solstice Kiss’), drummer Cherisse Osei and vocalist Sarah Brown joined them on some of the tracks, recording their parts separately in London. Album guests, Sparks’ frontman Russell Mael (‘Human Traffic’) and songwriter and former Grimes music partner from Danny Wilson, Gary Clark (‘Vision Thing’, ‘First You Jump’ and ‘Natural’), recorded their respective parts in home studios. This disparate work is belied by an album which sounds like a cohesive record – one of the most exciting and invigorating of Simple Minds career to date.

Jim Kerr on Direction Of The Heart:  “How to make a feel-good ‘Electro-rock’ record, during the very worst of times? Direction Of The Heart is the result of that challenge. Who would have thought we’d have so much fun creating it?”

DIRECTION OF THE HEART WILL BE RELEASED ON OCT. 21, 2022 AVAILABLE ON CD, DELUXE CD WITH 2 EXTRA TRACKS AND A HARDBACK BOOK, VINYL INCLUDING COLOURED VINYL, AND CASSETTE

TRACK LISTING: Vision Thing First You Jump Human Traffic (featuring Russell Mael of Sparks) Who Killed Truth? Solstice Kiss Act Of Love Natural Planet Zero The Walls Came Down (written and originally recorded by The Call) Bonus tracks on Deluxe editions: Direction Of The Heart (Taormina 2022) Wondertimes

FOLLOWING THEIR RECENTLY SUCCESSFUL RESCHEDULED 2020 TOUR, SIMPLE MINDS WILL BE HEADLINING BBC RADIO 2'S 'LIVE IN LEEDS' CONCERT ON 17 SEPTEMBER     More on Simple Minds: Over the past 10 years Simple Minds have rekindled the magic that made them a vital artistic force in their early days, found themselves referenced by younger artists and playing to tens of thousands of people every year, all over the world. They have been the recipient of the Q Awards Lifetime Achievement and received universal critical acclaim for their recent albums. 2015’s Big Music was described by MOJO magazine as “their best album in 30 years”, and 2018’s Walk Between Worlds was acclaimed across the board and became their most successful album in over two decades, culminating in their largest US tour to date.  Simple Minds are: Jim Kerr (vocals), Charlie Burchill (guitars, keyboards), Gordy Goudie (acoustic guitar), Ged Grimes (bass), Cherisse Osei (drums), Berenice Scott (keyboards) and Sarah Brown (vocals).

Simple Minds thrills in historic first-ever appearance in Las Vegas

Simple Minds greeting the crowd early during their thrilling
concert at the Pearl Theater in Las Vegas on October 21, 2018.

Simple Minds
Where: The Pearl Theater at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas
When: October 21, 2018
Next: Simple Minds is on tour in the U.S. through Nov. 11, 2018. 
Information: SimpleMinds.com


Although Simple Minds has been together more than 40 years, scored a number of enduring alternative rock hits and earned a fistful of number one albums in the U.K., the Scottish band broke new ground in coming to Las Vegas on Sunday night (Oct. 21, 2018).

"How are you?" said singer Jim Kerr in greeting the enthusiastic crowd gathered inside the Pearl Theater after a rousing performance of "Love Song" early in the set. "Thanks to every single one of you for coming to see us. We're elated to be back in the U.S. This is the first gig we've ever done in Las Vegas. This is history for Simple Minds tonight."

From left, Simple Minds guitarist Charlie Burchill, singer Sarah Brown and
lead vocalist Jim Kerr performing at the Pearl Theater on October 21, 2018.

What's more, Simple Minds delivered a truly memorable concert featuring 23 selections delivered across two and a half hours. This was a concert that revisited all of the Scottish troupe's best-known songs, as well as featuring great tracks off the band's excellent 2018 LP Walk Between Worlds.

From the moment Simple Minds emerged on stage, there was a palpable sense that the band was inspired and thrilled to be on stage. "Viva Las Vegas," said Kerr as he came to the mic. "Let me see your hands." The six-member group then launched into the wistful anthem "The Signal and the Noise," a Walk Between Worlds cut bolstered by a driving rhythm (drummer Cherisse Osei and bassist Ged Grimes would prove their rhythm might all night), evocative keyboards and guitar textures as well as sublime backing vocals from Sarah Brown.

Simple Minds performing "Waterfront" in Las Vegas.

Whether performing hits from the '80s or newer material, the passion and precision of the performances were potent. A dynamic rear projection screen was also well utilized, with graphics and lighting frequently adding power to the concert. For example, "Waterfront" was offered early in the night and included a dynamic photographic backdrop of a waterfront behind the musicians. 

Guitarist Charlie Burchill performing at the
Pearl Theater in Las Vegas.

The human touch was as essential as the technology and visuals, with Kerr crouching down during "Love Song" to greet fans. He would do that throughout the night, anxious and eager to make a connection with the audience via the band's music, his personable storytelling and true appreciation of the night.

Other early highlights of the show included "Up On the Catwalk," with lead guitarist Charlie Burchill crafting a shimmering solo, and the poignant new song "Sense of Discovery."

It is not uncommon for even established artists to cover and revisit other artists' songs. Simple Minds' discography is so extensive that the band can rely on its own finely-crafted material to carry the day at performances. 

The only exception to that approach came late in the first half of the concert when Kerr showcased singer Sarah Brown for a completely-reworked cover of the Ewan MacColl-penned 1949 classic "Dirty Old Town."

From left, guitarist Charlie Burchill, singer Sarah Brown and
lead singer Jim Kerr of Simple Minds.

That rendition was subtle, with Brown's soprano at times enhanced by Kerr's backing vocals.

The second half of the concert was even more powerful, with the instrumental foray "Theme For Great Cities," the ethereal "Walk Between Worlds" (another great showcase for Kerr and Brown to blend voices) and slide guitar-adorned "See the Lights" among the first heard standouts.

By the time Simple Minds got to the end of their long set, the crowd grew more excited with each track. The soulful "All the Things She Said," burgeoning art rocker "Dolphins" and extended sing-along version of "Don't You (Forget About Me)" were delivered before a thrilling encore that included the spirited "Alive and Kicking" and rousing "Sanctify Yourself." 



Review and photography by Robert Kinsler

Jim Kerr is all smiles, seen here continuing to acknowledge
the crowd after the Simple Minds concert was over
and his band mates had left the Pearl Theater stage.

Simple Minds' set list at the Pearl Theater

1. The Signal and the Noise
2. Waterfront
3. Love Song
4. Let There Be Love
5. Up on the Catwalk
6. Sense of Discovery
7. Promised You a Miracle
8. The American
9. Hunter and the Hunted
10. Stand By Love
11. Dirty Old Town
12. Theme For Great Cities
13. She's a River
14. Walk Between Worlds
15. Someone Somewhere in Summertime
16. See the Lights
17. All the Things She Said
18. Dolphins
19. Don't You (Forget About Me)
20. New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
21. Once Upon a Time
22. Alive and Kicking
23. Sanctify Yourself