INTERVIEW: Simple Minds’ Jim Kerr on new single ‘Act of Love’, the band’s very first performance & more

Jim Kerr - Simple Minds
Credit: Paul Cox

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:

Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Acast | RSS – You can find The XS Noize Music Podcast full archive of episodes here.

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.

Simple Minds
Simple Minds earliest gig. Credit: Laurie Evans

‘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.

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and looks after the daily running of the website as well as hosting interviews for the weekly XS Noize Podcast. Mark's favourite album is Achtung Baby by U2.

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  1. INTERVIEW: Charlie Burchill On New Simple Minds Album 'Direction Of The Heart' | XS Noize | Online Music Magazine