Fresh from their renaissance and rightful reappraisal, Simple Minds will be releasing BIG MUSIC, their first album of new material in five years on November 3rd and will also be embarking on a major multiple date U.K. tour in 2015. The tour, which starts at Grimsby’s Auditorium on Friday 27th March and finishes in Ipswich on May 4th, will come to Liverpool’s Empire Theatre on Thursday 2nd April.
BIG MUSIC released through Caroline International is Simple Minds’ 16th album. It’s a swaggering collection that reiterates the band’s world-class credentials; a culmination of a decade of stealthy rediscovery that has seen the band make two albums, 2005’s Black & White 050505 and 2009’s Graffiti Soul, before reminding us all of their legacy with the acclaimedX5 boxed set and subsequent 5X5 Live album and tour. BIG MUSIC sees the band rekindling the energy and attitude, the mystery and magic that made them one of the greatest bands on the planet.
With a touring cast that now sees Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill joined by stalwart drummer Mel Gaynor, keyboardist Andy Gillespie, Ged Grimes, backing vocalists Sarah Brown and Catherine AD (additional keys and guitar). Simple Minds have a settled line-up that re-affirms their status as one of the great live bands. Made with an array of collaborators old and new – including co-writer Iain Cook (of Glasgow band Chvrches) and producers Steve Osborne, Andy Wright and Steve Hillage (who worked on 1981’s Sons And Fascination/Sister Feelings Call) – BIG MUSIC is an irresistible mix of artistry and accessibility.
The first single to be released from BIG MUSIC will be Honest Town, out November 3rd. The song, a dream-like travelogue through Kerr’s childhood stomping grounds on Glasgow’s South Side, is the most touching moment on BIG MUSIC – a haunting track inspired by fond memories of Jim Kerr’s mum, who passed away in Glasgow four years ago. It was co-written with Iain Cook of Chvrches.
More relevant than ever, Simple Minds have been lauded in recent times by N.M.E. (recently included in their ‘100 Most Influential Bands’) and Mojo, and artists including The Horrors, The Killers, King Creosote, Manic Street Preachers, Primal Scream and Radiohead.
Simple Minds are “Widely regarded as one of the best live bands in the world” (B.B.C. Breakfast) and over a thirty year career have been responsible for some of the most innovative and enduring anthems in rock music. Last year the band played to 130,000 people in the U.K. alone – the most ever in one year. This new tour for 2015 sees them play 29 dates across the U.K. start March 27th through to May 4th.
Tickets for the tour go on sale at 9.00AM Friday 26th September WWW.GIGSANDTOURS.COM |WWW.TICKETMASTER.CO.UK, 0844 811 0051 | 0844 826 2826. Dates are as follows: