Simple Minds 2025 tour w/ Modern English, Soft Cell

Pre-sale starts this week per their web site.

Wow, they're booking some big venues in the USA -- Climate Pledge in Seattle, Ball Arena in Denver ... jeez, the Forum in L.A.? Has Simple Minds experienced a re-heightening of their profile, that I missed? I mean, they played the Moore Theatre in Seattle, last time around -- a hall with 1,800 capacity. And I don't think they sold it out.

Remember the Roxy Music debacle of a couple years ago - They started off playing these giant sport arenas, then had to downsize. from 20 K–sized venues, down to more realistic, 6000 capacity places.

I think the only way these gigantic shows can work is if it’s like the “cruel world festival” or the ‘80s tours where there’s like 15 classic bands, or in the case of the Misfits, it’s a reunion, one-time-only thing.

I don’t know why they’re pushing all these artists who are pretty niche to begin with to start playing Led Zeppelin-sized shows now. What’s that all about?

> I think the only way these gigantic shows can work is if it’s like the
> “cruel world festival” or the ‘80s tours where there’s like 15 classic bands,
> or in the case of the Misfits, it’s a reunion, one-time-only thing.

The latter should've worked for Roxy in 2022, at least in some U.S. markets. But if I recall correctly, even in New York/Madison Square Garden, the turnout was disappointing.

> I don’t know why they’re pushing all these
> e artists who are pretty niche to begin with to
> start playing Led Zeppelin-sized shows now. What’s
> that all about?

From what I'm seeing, it looks like SM reissue time - including, apparently, touring and promoting on the strength of "that" song.

I'd need a gun to my head to indulge in what's looking like a Simple Minds "1985 Victory Lap" like this one reeks of. Which is a shame, since the band I'd most like to see on the bill is Soft Cell. I saw Modern English last year and they were great. Have they ever opened for SM before? If not, why not? I saw Simple Minds in 2018 touring on one of their best modern albums but without a dedicated keys player and they were less than great. Have I mentioned that Simple Minds are probably my favorite act? I'm stilll mentally flagellating myself for not going into hock to see those 5x5 shows in 2011!

Former TP subscriber [81, 82, 83, 84]

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