On a rainy summer night in Glasgow, Simple Minds returned home to a hero’s welcome, proving that, nearly five decades on, their pull is as strong as ever. Bellahouston Park, as part of the city’s Summer Sessions series, had already seen punk legends and Sting take to the stage earlier in the week — with Stereophonics still to come — but tonight belonged firmly to Jim Kerr and company.
Before the main event, the crowd was treated to an impressive and diverse lineup of support acts — a true mini-festival of styles and sounds.
Yes & Maybe, a stylish Glasgow band, opened the day with slick suits and even slicker sounds. Their confident performance hinted at influences like Franz Ferdinand and The Killers, but with a fresh energy all their own. Despite the early slot and sparse crowd, they delivered a punchy and memorable set.
As the crowd filled in, the sounds of the ’80s flowed through the PA — a lovingly curated playlist featuring Depeche Mode, Gary Numan, Erasure and more. It set the tone for a night steeped in nostalgia without ever feeling stuck in the past.
Next up, Hamish Hawk took the stage. Already known to Scottish music fans, his intense stage presence — all jerky moves and poetic lyrics — captivated even the uninitiated. Evoking shades of Ian Curtis, Hawk brought an eccentric energy that walked the line between theatrical and completely authentic. When someone can casually drop the word “Machiavellian” into a lyric and still have the crowd in the palm of their hand, you know you’re witnessing something unique.
KT Tunstall followed with a feel-good, high-energy set. Accompanied by Andy Burrows (Razorlight) and guitarist Stu Wilkinson, KT brought her unmistakable voice and looping pedal wizardry to the stage in a sparkly silver jacket. Her storytelling — including the tale of her Jools Holland breakthrough — added warmth and charm to a powerful set that mixed her hits with unexpected crowd-pleasers like “Seven Nation Army” and Eurythmics’ classics. She closed with “Suddenly I See,” sending the crowd into a singalong frenzy.
Then came Future Islands, a band who, in a live setting, must be seen to be believed. Samuel T. Herring, their enigmatic frontman, transformed into a kinetic force of nature, sliding across the rain-slicked stage with ferocious energy. Despite the downpour, or perhaps because of it, their set was electric — intense, emotional, and wholly immersive. Herring’s graciousness between songs, his tributes to long-time supporters, and his full-throttle commitment made their slot a standout moment in a night already full of them.
As night fell and the crowd swelled, a dramatic swell of tom drums and synth signalled the arrival of the headliners. Simple Minds stormed the stage with ‘Waterfront,’ the irony of the lyric “Get in, get out of the rain” not lost on anyone soaked to the skin. Even a police helicopter did a flyover during the opener — an unexpected but fitting addition to the spectacle.
Jim Kerr, though clearly older and vocally a little more limited, held court like the seasoned showman he is. The bond between band and audience was palpable. This was more than a gig — it was a reunion, a celebration, a congregation of kindred spirits.
The hits flowed thick and fast: ‘Glittering Prize,’ ‘Someone Somewhere in Summertime,’ ‘All the Things She Said,’ and the towering instrumental “Theme for Great Cities.”
A particular highlight came with Cherisse Osei show-stopping drum solo. Known for their world-class drummers over the years, Simple Minds continue that legacy with Brown, whose power and precision blew the crowd away.
With the full band back on stage, Promised You a Miracle led into a string of crowd-pleasers — ‘See the Lights’, ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’, and ‘Sanctify Yourself”’— that had the entire park bouncing, despite the downpour.
Of course, it wasn’t over. The encore brought emotional weight and triumphant energy: ‘Ghost Dancing,”Belfast Child,’ and the anthemic ‘Alive and Kicking.’ The final song couldn’t have been more fitting. In 2025, Simple Minds are still alive and kicking — and nights like this prove they’re not going anywhere.
A soaked but elated Glasgow crowd witnessed an unforgettable celebration of music, memories, and resilience. From the promising newcomers to the legendary headliners, Bellahouston Park became a cathedral of sound and spirit.
Review by John Brown Photography
Photographs by Hope Holmes
