Poole Lighthouse
Simple Minds have not played a gig in Poole since 1984 on the “Sparkle in the Rain Tour”. It’s been a long time coming but they are back with a completely different fresh approach and a line-up featuring great new musicians. The band have recently released the “Acoustic” album where they have taken many of their classic songs and reworked them using very unique styles. Tonight the band have invited Catherine Anne Davies aka The Anchoress to support them, Catherine played Keyboards and sung backing vocals on the band’s last tour.
Jim Kerr surprises the audience by strolling out on to the Poole stage and has a little chat before introducing The Anchoress. The venue falls silent as Catherine starts to play and it is fantastic to see such respect from the audience for an opening act. Tonight she is accompanied by a Violinist and a guitarist for a more stripped down version of her usual show. Kicking off with “Long Year” from her debut album “Confessions of a Romance Novelist”; it is immediately clear that Catherine has a beautiful voice that sounds amazing, radiating around this large hall. “Bury Me” is preceded by a story about meeting an Undertaker in Southampton who she met last night, and he told her it was his favourite song. “Doesn’t Kill You” is an epic tune and the passionate vocal performance leaves a huge lasting impression on this Poole audience. The set ends with a lovely version of the Simple Minds Song “Rivers of Ice” which ends with massive appreciation from the crowd as Catherine leaves the stage.
Drummer and Percussionist Cherisse Osei arrives on stage to kick off the epic intro to “New Gold Dream” and before long she has everyone on their feet clapping along to the infectious beat before Jim, Charlie and the rest of the band take to the stage to a huge welcome from the excited Poole crowd. The atmosphere in this old building is just electric, there are huge smiles on everyoneís faces with us all looking for a trip down memory lane. The band don’t disappoint with some fantastic reworkingís of classic tracks which include “Glittering Prize”, “Someone Somewhere in Summertime” and the brilliant “Waterfront” which though really different is still uplifting. Jim Kerr’s in between song banter is funny and warming, with his ramblings, he has lost none of his Glaswegian charm.
A lovely tribute to the legendary David Bowie comes in the form of “Andy Warhol”, sung by Gordy Goudie. Sarah Brown belts out a huge vocal performance on The Call’s “Let the Day Begin” while Jim makes his third jacket change of the evening! These handpicked musicians all really excel and their talent really inputs some fresh new momentum into these tracks that have been loved by so many for so long. Things step up a gear with the encores with “Don’t You Forget About Me” giving the audience the chance of a celebratory singalong which nearly lifts the roof off this place. The Anchoress returns to the stage for an incredible duet with Jim on “Promised You a Miracle”, before the band leave the stage after an exulting version of “Alive and Kicking” leaving everyone totally satisfied with an amazing night.
Set Lists
Simple Minds
New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
See the Lights
Glittering Prize
Mandela Day
Chelsea Girl
Big Sleep
Stand by Love
Someone Somewhere In Summertime
Waterfront
Andy Warhol (David Bowie cover sung by Gordy Goudie)
Let the Day Begin (The Call cover sung by Sarah Brown)
The American
Encore
Don’t You (Forget About Me)
Sanctify Yourself
Encore 2
Promised You A Miracle (w/Catherine Anne Davies ‘The Anchoress’)
Alive and Kicking
The Anchoress
Long Year
PS Fuck You
Bury Me
Doesn’t Kill You
Confessions of a Romance Novelist
Rivers of Ice (Simple Minds Cover)
Videos
Links
http://www.simpleminds.com
http://www.iamtheanchoress.com
Words, Pictures & Videos by Dave Chinery (Chinners)
