Simple Minds
Glasgow art-rockers who grew into stadium new wave without ever quite losing the early strangeness, and 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' is guaranteed.
Where to see Simple Minds
- Spark ArenaTickets
- TSB ArenaTickets
- Wolfbrook ArenaTickets
- Ldlc ArenaTickets
- Accor ArenaTickets
- GalaxieTickets
- Zenith Nantes MetropoleTickets
- Arkea ArenaTickets
- Unipol ForumTickets
- Unipol ArenaTickets
- OlympiahalleTickets
- Uber ArenaTickets
- Oslo SpektrumTickets
- Royal ArenaTickets
- Barclays ArenaTickets
- LANXESS arenaTickets
- Ziggo DomeTickets
- Ziggo DomeTickets
- The O2Tickets
- Co-op LiveTickets
- Utilita Arena BirminghamTickets
- Motorpoint Arena NottinghamTickets
- Leeds First Direct Bank ArenaTickets
- Utilita Arena NewcastleTickets
- OVO HydroTickets
- 3ArenaTickets
- Spark ArenaTickets
- TSB ArenaTickets
- Wolfbrook ArenaTickets
- Ldlc ArenaTickets
- Accor ArenaTickets
- GalaxieTickets
- Zenith Nantes MetropoleTickets
- Arkea ArenaTickets
- Unipol ForumTickets
- Unipol ArenaTickets
- OlympiahalleTickets
- Uber ArenaTickets
- Oslo SpektrumTickets
- Royal ArenaTickets
- Barclays ArenaTickets
- LANXESS arenaTickets
- Ziggo DomeTickets
- Ziggo DomeTickets
- The O2Tickets
- Co-op LiveTickets
- Utilita Arena BirminghamTickets
- Motorpoint Arena NottinghamTickets
- Leeds First Direct Bank ArenaTickets
- Utilita Arena NewcastleTickets
- OVO HydroTickets
- 3ArenaTickets
About Simple Minds
Simple Minds is a new-wave band from Glasgow, UK, formed in 1977.
Simple Minds grew out of Glasgow's punk scene in 1977, initially as Johnny & The Self-Abusers, before settling into the lineup fronted by Jim Kerr on vocals and Charlie Burchill on guitar, the two constants across the band's history. Their earliest albums were angular and heavily influenced by European art rock and post-punk, built on synthesizers and repetitive rhythm sections rather than conventional song structures.
Signed first to Arista, they released Life in a Day in 1979 to modest commercial notice, followed by Real to Real Cacophony and Empires and Dance, records that drew strong reviews but sold little. A move to Virgin Records changed their fortunes: Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call became their first UK top-twenty album in 1981.
New Gold Dream, released the following year, was their breakthrough, reaching the top ten across several countries and producing three UK top-forty singles, including 'Promised You a Miracle'. Sparkle in the Rain went to number one in the UK in 1984 and included the hit 'Waterfront', cementing the band's shift toward a wider, more anthemic sound.
'Don't You (Forget About Me)', recorded for The Breakfast Club, reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1985 and remains their biggest international hit. The following album, Once Upon a Time, also topped the UK chart and carried further hits including 'Alive and Kicking', both still central to the band's live sets.
Long-serving members have included Mick MacNeil, Derek Forbes, Brian McGee, Mel Gaynor and John Giblin. Simple Minds have sold more than 60 million albums worldwide and are counted as the most commercially successful Scottish band of the 1980s.
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Questions about Simple Minds
What festivals is Simple Minds playing in 2026?
Simple Minds is booked at 1 festival we cover: Darker Waves 2026.
Is Simple Minds on tour?
Yes. Simple Minds has 26 shows listed, from Auckland, New Zealand on Feb 25, 2027 to Dublin, Ireland on May 17, 2027, plus 1 festival on the page above.
When does Simple Minds play at Darker Waves?
Saturday, November 14, 6:30 – 7:30 PM at Darker Stage.
Where is Simple Minds from?
Simple Minds is from Glasgow, UK.
Who is in Simple Minds?
Simple Minds is Charlie Burchill (guitar, keyboards), Jim Kerr (lead vocals), Ged Grimes (bass), Sarah Brown (lead vocals, background vocals), Gordon Goudie (guitar, keyboards), Cherisse Osei (drums) and Berenice Scott (keyboards). Former members include Tony Donald, Brian McGee, Duncan Barnwell and Michael MacNeil.
When did Simple Minds form?
Simple Minds formed in Glasgow in 1977.
What was Simple Minds's first album?
Simple Minds's first album was Life in a Day (1979). The latest is Sacrosanct (2027).
What kind of music does Simple Minds play?
Simple Minds plays new-wave and arena-rock.