Simple Minds

Not sure if it was the crowd or Jim Kerr, but the show was a little flat. I enjoyed seeing Simple Minds and it was fun to hear the music I enjoyed so much when I was younger, but after the 45-minute break (why did they need to take a break--it was only a 90 minute show?) between the first and second halves, there was no connection to the crowd for about 5 or 6 songs until they got to the big hits (Sanctify Yourself/Alive and Kicking). I consider myself a pretty knowledgeable and eager fan, and I was kinda bored... But, it wasn't a terribly expensive ticket and I went with an old pal from college, so it was worth doing.

They have not played in the US in ten years, but they did not miss a beat! The show at Roseland was spectacular, not due to lighting or any special effects, but just from the enthusiasm of the crowed and the willingness of Simple Minds to deliver. They have a great beat, you just want to get up and dance to every song. Their music is deep and rich and they just fill the room with sound.

I was lucky enough to attend The Simple Minds show at Roseland Ballroom this Thursday. I arrived just a few minutes after eight and, true to their word, the band had already taken the stage. It had been over 12 years since they'd been here. I'd last seen them from front row center at The Beacon Theater and the first thing I noticed was that Jims voice sounded better and stronger than it had back then. Charlie Burchill and Mel Gaynor were still cranking out their unique sound and I enjoyed the moment in time. I used to fly from my home in Hawaii to Los Angeles whenever the Simple Minds played there in the mid and late eighties and, in their (and my) youth, a SM show was practically a religious experience for me. They took a short intermission after a 45 minutes set and played for another hour, mostly greatest hits material but, to me, it's all greatest hits material. I hope they come back to the US soon and when they do, I'll be there, soaking it all in. Thanks guys.

Sold out show! This band has 30 years of experience singing and performing and it just shows so well. Jim Kerr's voice is as good as it ever was, and he knows how to work a stage and perform. The show was sold out proving this band still has drawing power - the hits from the 80's hold up to the test of time. The bass sound, the lightshow, and guitar solos, the vocal stylings, and banter between the songs, the arrangement of songs building in intensity....all around it was a great concert going experience. Audience stood the whole show, that shows how rocking this concert was. Venue was solid - easy $5 parking one block north - comfortable seats wide enough for the average American, which is surprising since older theatres usually have tiny seats. But these have been replaced recently, clearly providing a comfortable sitting experience. Nice bar inside the theatre, can take the drinks in with you to the theatre. Elevator down to the bathrooms only available by key from theatre personnel for disabled folks, which creates a problem for those of us with bad knees needing to take it, so that's my only suggestion for an improvement at the theatre - open up the elevator for usage by everyone.

Words cannot describe the energy and beauty this show radiated!! Perfect venue to relive the glory and romance of the sound!! This IS the show to not let slip away! Thank you Thank you for coming back around!!! We will never "forget about you"!!!!

Amazing show. Simple Minds were just superb and the Orpheum is an amazing slice of old Hollywood. There is not one bad seat in this place, and the prices at the bars were really reasonable. Had a blast.......

My favorite song is "See the Lights" and he bombed that song talking through it and not singing it at all really which was really dissappointing. Luckily all the other songs sounded fantastic. Great sound, great showmanship and the Orpheum was jumping. I have never seen them before but collected their hits over the years and it hit me several times how good these guys really are. I will definately go see them again, and hopefully he will sing "See the Lights" a little better.

I thought the vocals were not very strong. The audience also seemed quite sedate. I would have preferred more energy from both the band and the audience!

I first saw the Simple Minds in the late 1970's (I think) at the Whisky before hardly anybody new who they were and before the Breakfast Club - "Don't You Forget About Me" hit that kickstarted their rise to success. I last saw them sometime in the 80's at the Universal Amphitheater. I thought they had disbanded but was pleasantly surprised to see them coming to LA. They played great and brought all of the music back into my head. They even did a couple of their early songs, pre Breakfast club. I think even they were a bit overwhelmed by the support of the crowd after all the time since they last toured which I was surprised to hear was as recent as 2001. I thought they hadn't toured since the late 80's. Their fans had not "forgotten about them".

I've seen Simple Minds 6 times over the past 30 years and never have they been as tight, focused and tuned up as they are right now. Jim and Charlie have always been great crowd pleasers but now with a lot more years past they are taking it to a whole new level. They played material from across their varied career with my favorites being Love Song, Sanctify, Someone Somewhere, Waterfront and Alive and Kicking. Mel Gaynor is back on the drums and really puts the power in the band. Sarah Brown on backing vocals added an incredible touch to all the songs she sang on. They play NY tomorrow night. Don't miss them.

Simple Minds gave a great show. They played all of there greatest hits which was wonderful.

I never got to see SM back in the day so I was cautiously excited when I saw they were coming to Boston. They did not disappoint! A great 2 1/2 hr show with a break. Jim was very engaged with the audience shaking hands constantly and making eye contact and gestures to the crowd. He appeared genuinely happy to be there. They played everything that I wanted to hear and then some. The backup vocalist was amazing also. A great show overall.

Amazing Show ! Haven't lost a step - Sounded Great - and crowd was with them every step of the way....

I'm still blown away from this show. The band sounded phenomenal and the crowd was receptive to it. Jim's vocals were perfection and the female vocalist was outstanding. I didn't sit the entire time and didn't want the night to end. You can also tell that the band truly are enjoying themselves which only adds to the magic. I hope they come back soon and the Wilbur was a perfect venue.

Played all the best, 23 songs in all. Sarah Brown did a wonderful job with background vocals to compliment the bands wonderful performance. Wish the lighting was better set up do it was directed straight at the eyes of the audience making it difficult to see the band on detail. Wish they had played 'C Moon'.

The Simple Minds were fantastic in concert. I must admit that when I bought the tickets I did not know what to expect due to the fact that the Simple Minds have not performed in the US in past twelve years. I always thought that Jim Kerr had a strong voice but seeing him in live concert was unbelievable. His vocals were dead spot on. He is quite a showman and really got the Boston crowd in the mood for a fun night. I have been to many great shows but this one was fun to watch as the crowd was standing and dancing with the music pretty much the whole night long. Thank you Simple Minds for choosing Boston as one of your stops and I can only hope that your group will come back soon.

Great show so wore the years of waiting for Simple Minds to return to the your the US.

The music was great. However the lighting was horrible. It was like staring into the sun the whole night.Its all about taking pictures and videos. I will never go again. If you have tickets bring your darkest pair and look at the ground. I wish I could include a photo. He should be happy people bought tickets, that how he thanks his followers. I go for a lobster dinner next time he is in Boston. RUDE !!!

Sound was fantastic, lights were the best I've seen in an intimate concert venue. Many people had come from all over the state to hear the band. Simple Minds' performance equaled all of the greatest concerts have ever been to.

I love the Simple Minds and the show was amazing! I can't wait to see them again.

WOW! I've been waiting since high school to see this band (which is one of my favorite bands). Almost 25 years later and these guys still put on an awesome show. I took my wife (also a SM fan) and my kids. They really enjoyed it. The venue (the Orpheum L.A.) was a great place to see them.

There was so much to like about this show. The Orpheum theater is beautiful, has amazing seats and sightlines, and the sound was VERY good (and I'm super picky)! From 3rd row of balcony, could see everything perfect and close-up. Highly recommend seeing a band here (and if it's sold-out, show up early if you want food nearby - very crowded). Then Simple Minds put on an outstanding show! 2 sets separated by an intermission - no opening band. All their greatest hits, and those songs I wasn't familiar with still sounded incredible in this room. I'd listened to a couple of their more recent live recordings and was frankly a little nervous (bad mixes). But here everything sounded perfect. Such a great blend, and the crowd had INCREDIBLE energy (which is saying a lot for L.A!). Do not like old 'has-been' cheesy 'retro' bands, and they did NOT sound or perform like one!

They sounded great! Venue was a bit too small for such a well known band. They should play a larger venue outdoors! They have a big sound and my ears were hurting going into the second set. Took some steam out of me.

Incredible show. Amazing venue. Every seat is great at the Orpheum, and having Simple Minds back in LA, was unbelievable!

Simple Minds pulled out the stops and cranked out fantastic hit after hit in true form! The band is running on all cylinders! It was great to hear, firsthand, the lush wall of sound they create! Go see them!

I was reluctant about the show that because of a heavy work load that week and the show was on Tue. We were on the front of the balcony and seating was very comfortable. We were near speakers and thought it was going to be very loud, but the acoustics and the mixing was excellent. The show flowed very well. All in all I was very glad I went. If you get a chance to see this show, GO! Especially if it is in a great venue like the Orpheum Theater in LA.

Simple Minds is amazing! Orpheum is a great venue.

The concert was absolutely amazing. If you get a chance to see the live, go for it.

HAD A GREAT TIME!!!!!! LOVE THE SHOW AND THE SEAT WERE GREAT

Such an amazing show. The energy was out of this world. The States have been waiting a long time for this.

This band has been on my list of bands to see forever... and what an amazing show it was. Still sound great and gave it everything they had. Crowd was totally into it. Awesome show!

Great show in a small venue. Let's have them back again in a bigger theatre.

Better late than never to see(again)a group that IS part of my life!!!...Great memories and reflection!!!...

I loved the show....I didn't care for the venue!!!!

Simple Minds were incredible any concert promoter who does not want to promote them is out of their mind. The Audience showed how much they love and Missed Simple Minds. They gave a performance that was . Over the years concert promoters make the mistake of not supporting bands from the past cause they still have a lot to offer.

Amazing show. SIMPLE MINDS OCTOBER 15, 2013 1.Broken Glass Park 2.Waterfront 3.Once Upon A Time 4.Up On The Catwalk 5.All the Things She Said 6.Mandela Day 7.Let the Day Begin 8.Glittering Prize 9.New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) -BREAK- 10.I Travel 11.Someone Somewhere in Summertime 12.This Fear of Gods 13.She's A River 14.Hypnotised 15.The American 16.Love Song 17.See The Lights 18.Don't You (Forget About Me) 19.Promised You A Miracle -ENCHORE- 20.Theme for Great Cities 21.Sanctify Yourself 22.Alive And Kicking

Simple Minds sounded just as good as they did in the 80's! They played all their greatest songs and the energy on stage was fabulous!

I've seen Simple Minds a couple of times now and they are always amazing. They put on such a great show. The performance was faultless. The crowd, as always, totally into the performance. Jim ever the front man. In my opinion there is no live band to rival Simple Minds. They really do put on such a great show. It was nice to see them in a smaller venue- Orpheum Theater; rather than a big stadium as it made the thole thing feel more intimate. Great great, amazing night

Simple Minds is one of my favorite bands in the world, but until now I was unable to ever see them perform live. After not being in the states for over 11 years, they made seven stops around North America, two of which I made it to were Redbank, NJ and also the Roseland Ballroom in NYC. The NYC performance was their last before heading back towards Europe, and for it being their last leg of their tour here, it was THE BEST concert I have ever been too! Could it have been the age group there? Could it have been the music and the band's performance? Could it have been I have a biased opinion? Their personalism with their audience I think is what most amazes me about this band, and with the added benefit of timeless classics that they did not disappoint by playing them, I believe made this one performance that I will never forget.

Simpleminds-Montreal 2013 !!Describing it as a great show is often used and perhaps its lost its true meaning, tonight was in fact a special moment in time ! the flames keep burning !! the crowd interaction with the band grew stronger with every song ! this visit was wayyyyyy over due ! till our paths cross anew !

We saw the Boston show at the Wilbur Theatre on October 20th. We are longtime fans and love the music. The band and Jim were great and the show got better as it went along. I have to admit I expected more from the backup singer in terms of volume (although I loved the way she was dressed). Something else I can't remember experiencing - we had center seats in the first balcony. We were looking straight at center stage, but everytime they put on the lights at the back of the stage (projecting toward the crowd) we couldn't see a thing.

ITS WAS SO BAD I ACTUALLY WALKED OUT. ALL THE SONGS WERE SLOWED DOWN, NO ENERGY, AFTER 40 MINUTES THEY TOOK A 20 MINUTE BREAK AND CAME BACK WITH A LAME GUITAR/SYNTH DUO THAT SOUNDED LIKE A CASIO SOUNDTRACK TO A VIDEO GAME, FOLLOWED BY A CRAPPY COVER OF KRAFTWERK'S NEON LIGHTS B Y THE FEMALE SINGER. WHEN THE BAND RETURNED, THEY CONTINUED WITH LAME ENERGYLESS VERIONS OF THEIR SONGS. PATHETIC. THE SOUND WAS ALSO BAD, JUST A WASH OF LOUD VOLUME WITH NO DEFINITION OF THE VOICE OR THE PARTS. ONE OF THE WORSE SHOWS IVE EVER SEEN. THEY ARE JUST MILkING THE SYSTEM AND PROVIDE NOTHING TO THE CONSUMER. A FAR CRY FROM THEIR SHOWS OF THE 80S.

It doesn't get any better than seeing one of the greatest bands of the 80's in a reborn grand theater like the Orpheum.

Like being reunited with a long lost friend while the world stands still. You remember, then catch up, then learn. You stand amazed at the passage of time, but feel stronger for it. This was an amazing night with a band who loves their music and their fans. Two hours of enthusiasm, energy, and euphoria. They put everything they had into the music and held nothing back. You could see their joy. Was it really that good? I watched a bunch of concert vids from 1980 on after the show, just to be sure that I wasn't just being nostalgic. Nope. I was right: Jim, Charlie, and Mel have only gotten better. We miss Mick and Derek, but the "new" guys hold their own. And Sarah is a gem. Everything was magnificent. May they grace our shores again - and soon.

Even after all of these years they still rocked it. Jim sounds as amazing as ever !! Such a great night with a full house in Los Angeles. The start of their very short Celebrate tour. Hopefully they'll be back in 2014.

Absolutely fantastic sound, the set list was amazing and the crowd was so into it! Seen them before and this concert was one of their best! Venue was as always great - will be sad to see it close!

Awesome show!!! My buddy and I had a blast. These guys can still put on a great show.

Simply the best. Hope Simple Minds come back to LA next year

The sound was similar to the studio recordings...excellent set that had the crowd in a frenzy.

Hadnt seen this band since the Radio City Music Hall in 85/86? The show was much better than I expected. There were less keyboards than I wanted - that was such a large part of the sound I loved. I figured it was just a matter of the sound mix in a live show. I realized later that it wasnt the original keyboard player, Mick MacNeil. But the show was still a blast - and it got better as it went on - so many great songs! I was with a 25 yr old friend of mine and he REALLY enjoyed the music which I got a big kick out of.

Even after all these years, Simple Minds rocked out. They played all their big hits of the 80's and 90's. They played for more than 2 hours with a quick break in between sets. thanks for a great show.

What a delight to see this band again after so many years! And it's not as if they came out of retirement and are doing a reunion tour, they've been constantly recording and touring and it shows! They are professionals, and they sounded AMAZING. So fun for anyone who enjoys their music, and fun even for those who came only for that one song. Thumbs up!

AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE!! I AM SO GLAD THEY CAME BACK!

Awesome Theater. Awesome Crowd. And you could tell the band reacted to that. I was too young to see them in the 80's, but i've been a fan ever since. They played all the hits. I wish they had played more newer material cause their last two albums have been an incredible return to form. Hopefully that will happen NEXT TIME!! Come on up to Seattle guys!

Fantastic show. Great venue. They do not disappoint, even after all these years.

Great energy from the audience and Simple Minds. Great venue, as well. Looking forward for Simple Minds to come back to the US.

Love, love, love Simple Minds. If you loved this band as a kid, you will feel indulged seeing them live all these years later. There's something about the bands of the 80's and 90's. Their sound is always fuller and richer than most bands since. And they performed for 2+ hours. Jim Kerr is a true performer, wanting the crowd to have a good time and eliminating the distance between stage and audience. They sounded as good as always, their performance never decreases despite their years increasing. Go and don't feel guilty for singing along to your fav. teen angst songs - you'll feel right at home and entitled to do so!

Thirty years later and these boys don't look any different ! They sound fantastic and put on a great show Loved it

I grew up listening to this band. Never got a chance to see them live until now. They sounded the same as years ago and even better! Anyone that attended this concert got more than what they had hoped for! No one would argue with me on that point. The energy level from the band and the audience was nothing like I have ever experienced. I feel very fortunate that I was able to see them live! They say they will return. And when they do, I'll be sure to be there!

Even if you are not a Simple Minds fan, the music , sound and lights (not to mention the energy) is amazing. Jim and Charlie always deliver and were just as amazing at Roseland as they were at Count Basie the week before. It is a shame Roseland is closing. It is an energetic place that makes one recall old Springsteen, Clash etc. when they played small venues.

Great show! Jim Kerr still has those amazing pipes! The entire band were also amazing. Very pleased I had the chance to see them after all these years. Wish they played more from "Sparkle in the Rain" but they covered most all of their great songs.

Great to see Jim Kerr who hasn't lost a thing. In fact he's matured into an engaging front man who re-connected with his legion of loyal fans, myself included. 11 years was way too long a wait for Simple Minds to return, but perhaps the time was ripe for a restart. Roseland sound is somewhat muddy, and standing for 2 hours (20 minute break between sets) can get to your tootsies. Nevertheless, the vibe was high and while it wasn't a sellout, those who attended were not disappointed at all. A lot of pre-recorded electronic fill as expected, the band was clean with no special fanfare. Sarah Brown was sexy and a great addition to the show. Smiles were plastered on everyone's faces throughout the show and rightfully so. We all wanted to hug Jim for finally coming back.

They were unbelievable! They sounded fantastic. Even casual fans who don't know every song would enjoy it as they put on such a great show,. Jim Kerr is an excellent front man. Cant wait till they return to the States again!

Excellent show!! They sounded awesome.Great set list.

Totally amazing !!!! I last saw these guys in my home town of Glasgow during the New Gold Dream Tour and they still live up to The standard !

Never thought i'd have a chance to see Simple Minds, and what a surprise, It was definitely a great show! My first time at the Orpheum and it's a great theater. Very much like a maze going from downstairs to upstairs with so many hidden bars. The crowd was great, no sitting downers, and many knew songs that weren't really hits, ones i didn't know. Great time was had overall!

Simple Minds put on an amazing show! They played for over 2 hours, and did so many classics, and also unexpected favorites.A really great band to finally see live.

Having never seen them before but knowing much of their music it was great to hear them live and with such great energy. Any fan should have gone to see this show.