In episode #63 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar catches up with Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr. Formed in the seventies Simple Minds have become one of the most successful bands ever to come from the UK, selling over 60 million records worldwide, having number-one singles on both sides of the Atlantic, and number one albums the world over, including five UK number one albums.
To mark the anniversary of the band’s very first performance. Simple Minds have released ‘Act Of Love’ as a one-off single. Mark Millar caught up with Jim Kerr to talk about the new song, the early days of the band, their upcoming tour and much much more. Listen to episode #63 of The XS Noize Podcast with Jim Kerr – BELOW:
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Mixed by Alan Moulder (Suede, Arctic Monkeys, The Killers), ‘Act Of Love’ is a vivid reimagining of one of the first songs Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill wrote together. It speaks of where Simple Minds have been and where they are heading. Honouring the youthful passion and belief which sparked the band into life, it pulses with the desire which continues to drive Kerr and Burchill to create thrilling new music. The track is an act of time travel, sweeping across four decades in just a few exhilarating minutes.
‘Act Of Love’ takes the 1978 version to new places. The original rattled along with the youthful energy one would expect from fans of the Velvet Underground, Magazine and Roxy Music. In 2022, the killer riff and chorus melody remain, bolstered by pulsing synths and a surging new section in which Kerr sings poignantly to his younger self: ‘A born believer / Head full of plans / Got nothing to lose / So much to reveal.’
A bridge between Simple Minds’ glittering past and still-evolving future, ‘Act Of Love’ is a reassertion of faith. The song has again become a ‘rallying cry’, this time for fans who have waited two years for the group to re-commence their world tour. Curtailed in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, it is due to start again in the spring.
Listen to ‘Act Of Love’ – BELOW:
To celebrate 40 years of hits, Simple Minds embark on a world tour in March playing European shows and arriving in the UK on 31st March:
31 March The SSE Arena Wembley, London
01 April International Centre, Bournemouth
03 April Brighton Centre
05 April P&J Live, Aberdeen
06 April OVO Hydro, Glasgow
07 April Resorts World Arena, Birmingham
09 April First Direct Arena, Leeds
10 April Utilita Arena, Newcastle
12 April Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
14 April Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
15 April Bonus Arena, Hull
16 April M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
18 June Nocturne Live, Blenheim Palace
09 August Custon House Square, Belfast
12 August Summer Sessions, Edinburgh
13 August Summer Sessions, Edinburgh
Tickets for Simple Minds ’40 Years of Hits’, Custom House Square, Belfast available here.
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