Simple Minds, Roundhouse, London, review: An erratic experience

A disjointed set featuring rock star moves and, frustratingly, two mid-set Q&As

The electro veterans waited to the end to pull out the big hits (Rex)

Simple Minds once promised us a miracle but this performance is far too disjointed for that. Two flummoxing (and unenlightening) Q&As mid-set with radio presenter Billy Sloan, one of their pals, certainly doesn’t help. The flow and “vibe” of the concert are momentarily lost, which is a shame as they kick-off impressively with four tracks – “I Travel”, “Celebrate”, the majestic “Love Song” and “This Earth That You Walk Upon” – from their early synth-laden albums, 1980’s excellent (and experimental) Empires and Dance and 1981’s Sons and Fascination.

It’s pretty clear from the get-go that there’s some sort of issue with singer Jim Kerr’s sound levels, with his typically robust vocals sounding sludgy and drowned out. Possibly in need of assistance the 58-year-old Glaswegian thrusts his mic into the crowd during the anthems, such as “Alive and Kicking” and the still splendid “Waterfront”, from 1984’s Sparkle in the Rain.

Kerr also unleashes his legion of frontman moves – dropping to his knees, twirling his mic, thrusting his hands aloft and habitually shuffling across the stage like MC Hammer – but the audience’s response is oddly muted, one lady behind me even naps throughout the entirety of their new material. Which is more than a little unjust, as the new record, the band’s 17th, Walk between Worlds, is an accomplished one. It harks back to their electronic-infused heyday, when they aped the likes of Kraftwerk, Brian Eno and David Bowie. The Scottish outfit boldly deliver Walk between Worlds in its entirety, from the perky “Magic” to the Joy Division-like “The Signal and the Noise”.

However, everyone (including the woman behind me) wakes up for a rousing eight-song finale, which features “New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84” and “Someone Somewhere in Summertime” from their exquisite 1982 album New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84, and “The American”, from Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call. The tangy track arguably garners the biggest reaction from their devotees.

This erratic experience ends with a possibly unnecessary rendition of Ewan MacColl’s “Dirty Old Town” before our teenage selves are stirred by their anthemic “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”, from the Eighties’ second best (the first being Heathers) teen movie, The Breakfast Club. Lala la la lala la la…