Words and pictures by Rhona Murphy.
Southampton Summer Sessions drew to a close last night with a sold-out show with Simple Minds as headliners (29/6/25). From their formation in Glasgow in 1977, apart from a two-year hiatus in early 90s and another in the early noughties, Simple Minds have simply never stopped. After watching them on the main stage at Isle Of Wight Festival in 2024 I was captivated by their performance and I couldn’t wait to find out if I felt the same a second time. Spoiler alert I did!
The support act for the Southampton Summer Sessions was China Crisis with lead singer Gary Daly showing off his Simple Minds t-shirt to the crowd. They’re the sort of band you want at a party. They played a 40 minute set full of their best known songs and whipped up the expectations of the 3000 strong audience ahead of the headliner.
Simple Minds received a rapturous welcome as Jim Kerr took to the stage with the energy of a teenager, which he somehow maintained for the entire 90 minute set. They opened up with ‘Waterfront’ which has the kind of riff that Kerr can keep going as long as he wants, making it an epic first song. He engaged with the crowd from the first moment and continued to chat to and relate to everyone watching throughout the show.
With a vast back catalogue spanning 17 studio albums, Simple Minds do change their setlist from show to show. In Southampton they played 15 songs for the main show (including ‘Love Song’, ‘Someone Somewhere in Summertime’ , ‘Promised You a Miracle’ and ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ ) plus 2 more ‘Book Of Brilliant Things’ (vocals by Sarah Brown) and the finale of ‘Alive and Kicking’. Kerr’s vocals for ‘Don’t You’ were drowned out by the enthusiastic and loud crowd backing choir! My only personal disappointment was that ‘Belfast Child’ wasn’t included.
Simple Minds showcases its musicians, it’s not all about Jim Kerr. Sarah Brown is an unbelievably talented singer and she was a powerhouse throughout the set. Drummer Cherisse Osei (another inspiring female musician) has a drum solo slot which is not something that you often get these days.
There’s such a feel good quality about a Simple Minds show and after a career spanning 48 years it’s a joy to see a band play a show with such verve to entertain. True pros!
Simple Minds setlist:
Waterfront
Love Song
Glittering Prize
Oh Jungleland
Let There Be Love
Sanctify Yourself
I Wish You Were Here
Someone Somewhere in Summertime
Ghost Dancing
Theme for Great Cities
Drum Solo
Promised You A Miracle
All The Things She Said
See The Lights
Don’t You (Forget About Me)
Book of Brilliant Things
Alive and Kicking
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