In two separate parallel universes, Simple Minds could’ve been bigger than U2, or carved out a niche underground career as experimental cosmic synth visionaries. Their 1981 instrumental track Theme For Great Cities is the ultimate what could’ve been, sharing a sci-fi analogue vibe with early Human League and Tangerine Dream. Their early albums were also full of lo-fi takes on punky synth-pop, more Cabaret Voltaire than Pet Shop Boys. I Travel is a Giorgio Moroder goes EBM banger.
Way before The Breakfast Club, the Glasgow band were experimenting with synth melodies and jagged guitar riffs on the late 70s albums Life in a Day, Real to Real Cacophony, and 1980’s Empires and Dance, which integrated more electronic effects and future-facing rhythms. And like David Bowie, they could release a full compilation album of their more experimental instrumental pieces.
Somewhere in the mid-80s, though, they found their stadium rock groove. While they never got as big as U2, they were toe-to-toe for a while, with majestic pop like Don’t You (Forget About Me), Alive and Kicking and All the Things She Said.
After their recent 40 Years of Hits tour, they’re back in the present touring their latest album Direction of the Heart, an album that dials up the U2 dial in parts, while Human Traffic gives strong Killers vibes. The Glasgow band aren’t about these extremes — just one of the most dependable new wave rock bands of their generation.
Simple Minds play Dublin’s 3Arena on March 18 and Belfast’s SSE Arena on March 19.
Moo Kid 