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SIMPLE MINDS
+ Icehouse
@ Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth,
21st February 2024
(Live Review)

Review by Melanie Griffiths

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Simple Minds, RED HOT SUMMER TOUR @ Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley, Vic, 11th February 2024 / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Simple Minds still shines bright with their enduring skill and ability to captivate audiences. Despite their association with nostalgia, the band’s energetic songs have captivated listeners for over four decades.

And at the last stop of Red Hot Summer Tour, Simple Minds were like a Scot at Hogmanay, intent on celebration.

Kings Park again played the perfect stage with the band having last performed here in 2017. This time they were supported by Australian groups Bachelor Girl and Icehouse.

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Bachelor Girl, RED HOT SUMMER TOUR @ Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley, Vic, 11th February 2024 / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Bachelor Girl came out to a packed audience. Unfortunately, they were still settling into their beers and nibbles. The duo of Tania Doku and James Roche had a golden run of songs that encapsulated the pop-rock vibe of the late 1990s. The setlist was tight. It featured songs like “Permission to Shine”, “Treat Me Good” and a smouldering cover of The Motel’s “Total Control”. Doku sang it for all it was worth. Top 5 hit single “Buses and Trains” had a muted reception and the only takeaway is that this duo deserved more love and would’ve received it from a younger crowd.

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Icehouse, RED HOT SUMMER TOUR @ Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley, Vic, 11th February 2024 / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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The atmosphere shifted with Icehouse’s entrance, led by frontman Iva Davies playing an almost full setlist. Kicking off with the moody “Icehouse” from their debut album when they were known as Flowers, Davies crooned like a warning, “There’s no love inside the ice house”. But there is love outside as fans perked up to a set brimming with hits. Icehouse’s music still bristles with its sharp edge of critique.

“Walls” featured a frenetic video backdrop and new-wave introspection. The iconic “Electric Blue”, whose music video cemented Davies’ mullet into Australian history, came out early. It made room for other hits like “Hey Little Girl”, “Crazy”, and “No Promises”. Time has taken their gruff edge. But, when the haunting synth opening of “Great Southern Land” began, Icehouse showed why they are the true greats of Australian music. 

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Icehouse, RED HOT SUMMER TOUR @ Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley, Vic, 11th February 2024 / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Transitioning seamlessly, Icehouse primed the crowd for Simple Minds, whose appearance belied their seasoned stage presence. Despite their mature demeanour, Simple Minds exploded onto the stage with vigour. Roaring out of the gate with the stalwart opener, “Waterfront” Simple Minds don’t believe in subtlety.

With many of the songs coming from New Gold Dream (1982), songs were delivered amidst a dazzling wash of punch-soaked colours, soaring synths, driving rhythms and meticulous guitar riffs. Frontman Jim Kerr showed why age is just a number. During “Love Song” he shimmied across the stage engaging with the audience like he was gonna invite them backstage. “The American” he twisted himself to the floor like a pretzel. In “Vision Thing” amidst the futuristic synths, his voice soared through the night sky. In his words “We’re just warming up, we haven’t even started yet”.

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Simple Minds, RED HOT SUMMER TOUR @ Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley, Vic, 11th February 2024 / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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The middle section got everyone on their feet with a run of hits including a near-perfect “Glittering Prize”. Original band member Charlie Burchill cut an enigmatic mod figure as he and Kerr worked the audience.  Followed by “Promised You a Miracle” and “New Gold Dream” fans bopped on stiff legs.

Kerr and Burchill have kept things fresh by surrounding themselves with talented players: Gordy Goudie (acoustic guitar), Ged Grimes (bass), Cherisse Osei (drums) and Sarah Brown (vocals) who kept things buoyant and moving at a cracking pace.

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Simple Minds, RED HOT SUMMER TOUR @ Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley, Vic, 11th February 2024 / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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The concert was all about sumptuous performance. “Belfast Child” was a needed breather before the expansiveness of “Someone, Somewhere in Summertime”. With a cést la vie introduction, the beast of “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” tested Kerr’s formidable vocal strength and the audience’s patience as he held a protracted minutes-long crowd sing-along of “Lah-lah, lah, lah”.

Finishing with “Alive and Kicking” and “Sanctify Yourself” it was hard to find anything to fault about this band who has evolved but still stayed true to what makes their concerts a majestic experience.

4.5/5

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Simple Minds, RED HOT SUMMER TOUR @ Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley, Vic, 11th February 2024 / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Check out Michael Gow’s (@alchemi_glow_music_phot) full gallery of the RED HOT SUMMER TOUR @ Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley, Vic, 11th February 2024 event HERE

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Follow SIMPLE MINDS
Facebook – Instagram – Twitter/X – Tiktok

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Simple Minds, RED HOT SUMMER TOUR @ Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley, Vic, 11th February 2024 / Photo – @alchemi_glow_music_phot

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Press Release 18th September 2023 (below) HERE

SIMPLE MINDS
GLOBAL TOUR 2024

 Band announce additional
Australian shows as part of
their biggest tour since 1985

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AMNPLIFY – DB