Simple Minds Bring Alive & Kicking Tour to Seattle

We headed down to the Climate Pledge Arena for a once in a lifetime event. The Alive & Kicking Tour was in Seattle, and we couldn’t wait to hear songs that defined the 80s for the first time live. Simple Minds, Soft Cell, and Modern English were set to perform to gathered fans, and the nostalgia was in full effect.

First off was Modern English and lead singer Robbie Grey was full of energy, commanding the room right away. Their talent echoed in the room and as they went on, they got more and more fun and intense. At some point Grey was trying to do a sing-along to a quieter than expected crowd, and he joked with them saying, “You sound dead!” that was followed with louder singing and him acknowledging that they did much better. The band performed songs off their latest record 1234, which was released last year as well as their more known songs. Highlights included, “I Melt with You,” “Hands Across the Sea,” “Ink and Paper.”

Next up weas the iconic Soft Cell duo who took the stage along with their two back-up singers. Vocalist Marc Almond and David Ball were lively and engaged with the crowd through their set. The duo who became popular after their debut album, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, took a break after 1984 then reunited in the 2000s releasing another three records. Almond stopped to chat with the crowd and shared stories from their long career. It seemed like as the time passed the stories got even better and people were more attentive.

He introduced “Purple Zone” saying that it’s their collaboration with Pet Shop Boys but unfortunately, they weren’t there to sing. They closed out their set with their biggest hit, “Tainted Love” which I never thought I’d get to hear live. It was as incredible as you could imagine, especially the teasing of the iconic first notes that Ball was playing before actually starting the song. I kept thinking back to that time when these hits were released and feel a little jealous that I wasn’t an adult to go clubbing then. Sometimes I feel that this was the best era to be young and to go out as this music has resonated through the years and has sustained the same value as when it first got released. That alone says something about the way it was made and that it is unrepeatable. Highlights included, “Torch,” “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye,” “What,” “Bedsitter.”

We were already full of joy from the night and then it was time for Simple Minds to come to the stage. The first thing I noticed as lead singer Jim Kerr stepped to the middle of the stage were his calves through his very tight jeans. I was pretty impressed and wondered why they were so fit. Then he started performing and noticed that his favorite move to do while singing was actually deep lunges. Constantly. I couldn’t believe that was his go to and that he did it with such ease. Guitarist Charlie Burchill was right by his side as the only other original member currently in the band. The show started with hit “Waterfront,” and everyone’s energy was electric.

Kerr was moving around side to side chatting with the fans and making jokes. His energy was contagious, and he had everyone singing along to the tunes having a great time. You could easily see that his playful persona was setting the mood for a great time and as the night passed the show became unforgettable. Kerr was smiling and showering his fans with his charisma. Sometimes you don’t have to be a part of things the first time the world takes them in to understand why the appeal was so great. This is a good example of that, even though I didn’t hear these songs when they were released, I can definitely see why they had such a huge influence around the world. This band is still so talented, and it was incredible to see them perform live.

Their main set ended with an extended version of their biggest hit, “Don’t You Forget About Me” as people took it in. During the “Lalalalala” of the bridge Kerr made a few jokes as the crowd kept the song going and we had a moment to take it all in. The band returned for an encore with “Dolphins,” “Alive and Kicking,” and “Sanctify Yourself.” This is a great live concert to catch if you want to see a great show with amazing bands. I definitely would not miss it if I was partying to these songs in the 80s. The party went on and it resurrected so many people’s spirits. The bands still got the talent and moves to put a great show on for their dedicated fans.