Simple Minds – Live Review – The Piece Hall, Halifax
By Steve Crabtree, July 2025
It’s been a summer of huge names at The Piece Hall so far. We’re so, so lucky to get what we do every summer, and Simple Minds have been on my must-see list for a while. Some might say the Monday evening slot isn’t as appealing as one of the nights heading in to the weekend, but I have to say – I don’t think there’s a better way to spend a Monday evening.
After the torrential downpour throughout the previous night’s show (The Script), waterproofs weren’t needed this time. It turned out to be a lovely, pleasant summer evening – and it set a nice scene for what was to come.
Image: Steve Crabtree
“Tonight’s music was going to be loud”
There was a great feel about the place tonight. The Piece Hall crowd was made up mostly of people who’d lived through the heyday of Simple Minds – people like my father-in-law, who came with me to this one. It was a mature audience. No kids that I saw, and very few under-forties, but lots of happy folk. And, after an exuberant kick off from KT Tunstall, plenty of anticipation for a band who still know how to do it live.
Simple Minds were on at 8.45pm, beginning with ‘Waterfront’ – complete with a drum-heavy intro that let you know tonight’s music was going to be loud. It was a fantastic opener, full of reminders about who this band are. And straight away we were into a night of art-rock infused, stadium-sized new wave.
The follow-up, ‘Once Upon A Time’, maintained the pace before ‘Glittering Prize’ arrived to an excited and appreciative Halifax crowd. I loved that one. A track I’d forgotten about, but the kind of sound that only Simple Minds can give you. It reminded us of that, and just filled the courtyard. Jim Kerr’s vocal was smooth, and the band were sounding tight and polished.
“Watching in awe”
We were spoiled with tunes like ‘Love Song’, ‘Someone Somewhere (in Summertime)’ and ‘Ghost Dancing’. There wasn’t any ‘toilet break’ songs in the entire set either (you know the one…you’ve been holding on for a few songs, and one comes on where you think ‘I’ll go now!’ at the same time as everyone else!) The crowd stayed locked in, we were too busy singing along. We didn’t want to miss what was coming next.
And I’ve got to give special mention to drummer Cherisse Osei, who was absolutely unbelievable for the full gig. The way she plays those beats leaves you a bit speechless. Thankfully she was given a solo section in the second half of the gig, and I reckon everyone was watching in awe. If you’ve ever seen her live, you’ll know what I mean: You’ll put her right up there with the very best.
Frontman Jim Kerr was brilliant too. All night, he was brilliant on the mic – happy to be there, upbeat, and very likeable. He’s perhaps one of my favourite live frontmen in recent years after seeing him at tonights show. And not only that, everyone on stage had that pop-rock star look, but Kerr could easily have passed for one of us – pint in hand, fuss-free, watching a great band in the courtyard.
“Blew The Piece Hall away”
The songs were coming at us fast. ‘Promised You A Miracle’ – my personal favourite, with that clanging intro that repeats throughout, and hearing it live was special. ‘All The Things She Said’ came out too, and felt beautiful out in the open air (just needed a breeze to complete the effect!). ‘See The Lights’ followed, before the big one MkI – ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’. We all sang the “Hey, hey, hey, hey” parts like it was 1985 (although I wasn’t singing like a 7 year old me!). It was an epic finish to the main set.
Us Haligonians hadn’t quite had aenough though, and after a super quick break we got a two-song encore. ‘Book of Brilliant Things’ was given to Sarah Brown, who did a great job on vocals. And then the grand finale was an extended version of ‘Alive and Kicking’. This one blew the Piece Hall away and everyone knew what to do. The “la la laa la’s” were shouted back at full volume, and Kerr let us carry them for an eternity. Even asking us to sing it in French, Spanish and Italian at one point.
For me, the show went by in a flash – and I think the people who were there will put this down as one of the best gigs they’ll see this year.
“One of the best gigs I’ll see this summer”
I knew I’d really enjoy this show – but it might just be one of the best gigs I’ll see this summer. It was tight. It sounded perfect. Kerr was on form. And the overall quality of the show was proof, if any was needed, as to why Simple Minds are still selling out venues 40 years after their peak.
What a band. Why have I only seen them once? Their UK and European tours are still going strong. And based on tonight, it’s easy to see why. They still sound as good as they always did – maybe even better.
Images: Cuffe & Taylor and The Piece Hall
Give Steve music, give him food, give him theatre, tech or travel… and he’s a happy man. He’s been writing professionally since 2003, turning to journalism in 2017 when it offered him the chance to enjoy a lot of his existing passions, and learn some new ones at the same time. Steve can be found spending many of his summer nights watching bands at The Piece Hall in his hometown of Halifax, or enjoying a bite to eat and a drink with his wife anywhere in Yorkshire at any time of year. Random fact: He does the best impression of Zippy and George from Rainbow that anyone has ever heard.
