Simply Red

Simply Red’s latest album ‘Simplified’ didn’t appeal to me at all, they had taken some of the classic Simply Red tracks and added a latino feel to them. However despite disliking the album I thought I had better give them the benefit of the doubt and catch them live in the hope that this latino/big band sound might come across better live.

Thankfully it did, it gave the songs a richer, well-developed sound. That’s not to say that previously Simply Red songs were not that impressive live - quite the opposite in fact. Live, Simply Red are as perfect live as anyone could ever be! This new latino feel with violins, and an entire brass section just took the live show to a whole new level!

As always Simply Red tried to cater for new fans and old fans alike, with songs that spanned throughout their entire career. It goes without saying that all of their big hits were performed with such professionalism and precision which demonstrated that despite what certain tabloids might print about Mick Hucknall, he obviously cares a hell of a lot about the fans that come to Simply Red shows.


From the opening song ‘A Song For You’ the crowd were clearly in a party mood, (well half the crowd were anyway) with the first few rows all standing up and rushing to the front like teenagers at a Westlife gig!

Time just flew by at this gig- in no time at all, the crowd were treated to ‘Your Mirror’, ‘Stars’, ‘For Your Babies’, ‘SO Beautiful’, ‘Smile’, ‘Home’, ‘Sad Old Red’, ‘Holding Back The Tears’- which always makes the audience feel inclined to sign and sway along. ‘It’s Only Love’, ‘More’, ‘Love Fire’, ‘Sunrise’. ‘Right Thing’, ‘Come To My Aid’, ‘Perfect Love’, and ‘Fairground’ brought the set to a close.

As always, there was no way that Simply Red could leave without doing an encore, and sure enough they returned to oblige the audience with ‘Something Got Me Started’, and probably an all time classic ballad to end on ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’. Which left everyone in the audience feeling like they had got their moneys worth - at £35 per ticket they deserve to get their moneys worth!

Once again Simply Red demonstrated that when it comes to live music they are in a league of their own! A fantastic gig!

FUTURE GIGS