Simple Minds Unveils September-October North America Tour

Paul Bergen / AFP / Getty Images – Simple Minds
Simple Minds play the Paradiso in Amsterdam Feb. 19.

Having released Walk Between Worlds in February, Simple Minds plans to support its 18th studio effort with a month-long tour in North America beginning Sept. 24 in Bethlehem, Pa.

Formed in the late’ 70s, Simple Minds was all over 1980s radio with hits like “Alive and Kicking” and “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” the latter getting a boost from Hollywood via the soundtrack for the 1985 film “The Breakfast Club.”

Produced by Simple Minds with Andy Wright and Gavin Goldberg, Walk Between Worlds sports a title that hints at the music within.  Simple Minds describes the release as having “two distinct sides” with one side reflecting the music frontman Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill listened to while growing up.  Of course, the classic Simple Minds sound can be found throughout the album, with the title track as well as “Barrowland Star” containing cinematic sounds plus orchestrations recorded at the famed Abbey Road studio.

Come September, you can hear the new material as well as Simple Minds’ classic songs when the band arrives on the East Coast to launch its tour.

The concert stage is where Simple Minds do their best work, it is where we forged our distinctive live reputation,” Kerr said in a statement.  “A highlight of any touring band’s career has to be when they are given the opportunity to tour North America.  Simple Minds will never forget the thrill of that, especially so during those glorious days of the mid ’80s. Magically for us, that thrill returns again as we excitedly announcer our latest tour.  Playing songs from throughout our extensive catalogue, going right back to the start and bringing it all up to the current.  It is guaranteed that we aim to give 100 percent of ourselves each and every night – as we look forward to performing in front of our loyal fans throughout North America.  Hope to see you all there!”

It’s been five years since Simple Minds played on this side of the pond.  The band’s 2013 tour was a quick run of clubs and theatres shows.  The band’s concert at Montreal’s MTELUS sold out when fans grabbed all 2,217 tickets, resulting in a total gross reaching almost $97,000 in American money, $99,895 Canadian.

VIP packages, including meet-and-greets, pre-show soundchecks and Q&A sessions, go on sale April 25.  General onsales launch April 27.  Keep checking Pollstar’s Simple Minds page for details.