Despite the summertime rain, Glasgow turned out in full to support their homegrown talent, Simple Minds.
I made it to Bellahouston Park as Future Islands were midway through their set. There were four support acts tonight and I caught the last one, Future Islands, a synth pop group. The vocalist reminded me of Morrissey of The Smiths in both appearance and demeanour. He was incredibly into the music, transporting himself to his own island (do you see what I did there) when performing. It was a little scary actually. He sung in English but it sounded like a completely different language – I’m not the only person who thinks this, there are articles all over the internet expressing their concern and confusion over his live performance. People say he’s just super into it and feeling the music and to be fair to him, it will stick with me. Not only did it sound like a different language, sometimes he’d make this metal-sounding, demonic, deep voice on the last song played. A very interesting set from Future Islands to say the least.
Later, Simple Minds emerged onto the stage following a fantastic pre-show playlist which certainly helped build energy with the crowd. They kicked off their hometown show and the crowd were all here for it. You could tell from the start how excited fans were to witness Jim Kerr and his band back on stage. The crowd were instructed to get their hands in the air and boy did they do that. A sea of hands in front of me, waving and clapping to the music of Simple Minds. Jim Kerr had strong crowd interaction, making use of his huge stage in Bellahouston Park, ensuring he saw every member of his audience from every area of his stage.
I attended the show with my dad, who’s five years younger than Simple Minds’ lead vocalist, Jim Kerr, and we both commented on Jim’s performance and physical health being great for his age. My dad grew up with Simple Minds so knew many songs and could reminisce and reflect on memories with these tunes. We both agreed their performance was 100% live. No pre-recorded tracks here, this was raw and real, what you always want at a concert. You want to hear the band do what they are good at right in front of you. And that’s what Simple Minds delivered.
After a few songs, Jim Kerr told us that despite living 10 minutes from Bellahouston Park, he hadn’t ever been in the park! He’d been to every other major park or field in the Glasgow area such as Rouken Glen but never Bellahouston. Yet here he was headlining the stage there for Summer Sessions 2025. Interesting to hear he’s a Glasgow local and hasn’t been to a well-used summer concert venue or even been to the park for a walk on a nice day.
Speaking of nice days, it was not one of them for Simple Minds. The rain was on and off all night but the band made it clear this was not to dampen any spirits and everyone was here for one thing: to have a good time. The crowd listened, no one cared about the rain even as it got heavier. They played ‘Someone, Somewhere, In Summertime’ while we were standing somewhere in summer with the rain bucketing down. Ironic but to be expected in Scotland.
Just over halfway through, Jim Kerr left the stage and an incredibly dramatic synth filled build-up commenced. The build up continued and all of the band left except their new drummer, Cherisse Osei. She performed a fantastic prolonged drum solo which then invited the rest of the band mates back on stage. When Jim came back on stage, he had a slight outfit change. Previously he was wearing a black top with a star on it. Now he was wearing a navy top with a star on it. Classy.
‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ was up next on the setlist. Their biggest song, known worldwide and featured in hit film ‘The Breakfast Club’ went down an absolute treat. The crowd knew every word and let the band hear them. Jim paused his singing and leaned his microphone out to the crowd. We let him hear it. “La La La La”s were sung at full pelt back at him for a solid five minutes to the tune of ‘Don’t You’. It was very entertaining and had a very feel good vibe to it. I had good fun and it felt very connectedness especially as the band are Scottish.
Their encore consisted of three songs, one of which they don’t usually play, ‘Ghost Dancing’. Feeling lucky that we were a Glasgow crowd and got a special treat. The band played an extended version of ‘Belfast Child’ which was atmospheric, transporting the audience to another place along with the band. It was one of the best songs of the night, starting so quietly and ending so passionately. You could feel the emotion from Jim in every word sung. The whole performance of this song brings the band and the audience together as one and left us with a lasting impression. Their final song ‘Alive and Kicking’ brought the good vibes and high energy back to the crowd and concluded the show well. Even with their advanced years now, Simple Minds left the stage proving once again that they really are alive and kicking.
- Simple Minds / Future Islands - 30 June 2025
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