SIMPLE MINDS/OMD
Sheffield Arena
5/12/2009
Jim Kerr has professed his admiration for early OMD tracks such as Messages and Electricity and during Simple Minds set there is a reminder of how that admiration shaped some of their early music together with a homage to a band that influenced both of them. and many others.
Initially then it seemed an odd pairing of band but as OMD take to the Sheffield stage for a set that is almost chronological there is clearly a lot of love for them from the Simple Minds fans and appreciation really kicks in when the classic trio of Souvenir, Joan of Arc and Maid Of Orleans are perfectly performed. Andy windmills across the stage whilst Paul is his Ron Mael, almost impassionately playing the keyboards.
A hit packed hour long set – sadly omitting the much maligned Tesla Girls is brought to a close, inevitably by Enola Gay, betraying the fact that is nearly thirty years old, sounding glorious and fresh. After several years of inactivity it's great to see the boys – do 50 year olds count as boys? – back and hopefully we'll see them a bit more regularly in future.
So from the clever electro pop of OMD to the stadium rock, sky sports soundtrack pomposity of Simple Minds and from the intro tape its clear time has not diminished their swagger, nor the love from their dedicated fans. Although far from full, Sheffield Arena welcomes back Kerr and co to the opening strains of Themes for Great Cities before crashing into a powerful and urgent Sanctify Yourself. Of course this tour is to ostensibly promote their latest album Graffiti Soul which in fairness does in equal parts summon up those early 80's offerings and later Top Gear soundtracks, so of course several of those tracks are present, and indeed correct tonight but as the choice of support band illustrates this is just as much about celebrating their back catalogue and so the first half adds (amongst others) Waterfront and All the Things She Said both supplemented by the very powerful vocal presence of backing singer 'Sarah'
The second half brought more of the same, a smattering of new tracks mixed with classics such as I Travel., Sons and Fascination joined the sublime Glittering Prize which segued from Promised You A Miracle. For many the highlight was Don't You Forget About Me, I was never a fan of this song and familiarity over the years has hardened that. Its almost as though the band are weary of it too as this seems to lack any gusto..
The band returned for their encore and the encore was really worth waiting for. Sarah came front centre stage, flanked by Jim and on her other side Paul from OMD to deliver a slinky electric Neon Lights in joint homage to the genius of Kraftwerk who were an initial influence on both bands. The crowd reaction was immense and this recharged the band and the venue as it was straight into Alive and Kicking and a brilliant Chelsea Girl, sounding better than ever. Rockets and Ghost Dancing closed this 23 song, near two hour set.
The stadiums may be gone, hell the arenas might only be half full but there's no denying this is a fully functioning band still with appetite. For band such as these it must be a tough call - try remain relevant in today's market or play the retro market. At the moment the band are one of the few who have succeeded in treading the fine line between the two.
Initially then it seemed an odd pairing of band but as OMD take to the Sheffield stage for a set that is almost chronological there is clearly a lot of love for them from the Simple Minds fans and appreciation really kicks in when the classic trio of Souvenir, Joan of Arc and Maid Of Orleans are perfectly performed. Andy windmills across the stage whilst Paul is his Ron Mael, almost impassionately playing the keyboards.
A hit packed hour long set – sadly omitting the much maligned Tesla Girls is brought to a close, inevitably by Enola Gay, betraying the fact that is nearly thirty years old, sounding glorious and fresh. After several years of inactivity it's great to see the boys – do 50 year olds count as boys? – back and hopefully we'll see them a bit more regularly in future.
So from the clever electro pop of OMD to the stadium rock, sky sports soundtrack pomposity of Simple Minds and from the intro tape its clear time has not diminished their swagger, nor the love from their dedicated fans. Although far from full, Sheffield Arena welcomes back Kerr and co to the opening strains of Themes for Great Cities before crashing into a powerful and urgent Sanctify Yourself. Of course this tour is to ostensibly promote their latest album Graffiti Soul which in fairness does in equal parts summon up those early 80's offerings and later Top Gear soundtracks, so of course several of those tracks are present, and indeed correct tonight but as the choice of support band illustrates this is just as much about celebrating their back catalogue and so the first half adds (amongst others) Waterfront and All the Things She Said both supplemented by the very powerful vocal presence of backing singer 'Sarah'
The second half brought more of the same, a smattering of new tracks mixed with classics such as I Travel., Sons and Fascination joined the sublime Glittering Prize which segued from Promised You A Miracle. For many the highlight was Don't You Forget About Me, I was never a fan of this song and familiarity over the years has hardened that. Its almost as though the band are weary of it too as this seems to lack any gusto..
The band returned for their encore and the encore was really worth waiting for. Sarah came front centre stage, flanked by Jim and on her other side Paul from OMD to deliver a slinky electric Neon Lights in joint homage to the genius of Kraftwerk who were an initial influence on both bands. The crowd reaction was immense and this recharged the band and the venue as it was straight into Alive and Kicking and a brilliant Chelsea Girl, sounding better than ever. Rockets and Ghost Dancing closed this 23 song, near two hour set.
The stadiums may be gone, hell the arenas might only be half full but there's no denying this is a fully functioning band still with appetite. For band such as these it must be a tough call - try remain relevant in today's market or play the retro market. At the moment the band are one of the few who have succeeded in treading the fine line between the two.
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