Simple Minds close off Southampton Summer Sessions with a masterclass in live performance

★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

The last Summer Sessions at Guildhall Square is a sea of nostalgia – people of all ages full of enthusiasm are coming down to the square to enjoy a band that brings back a lot of memories. Seeing as the series of open air sessions is coming full circle, it was only fair to have a hot and sunny evening full of people ready to enjoy a live band for the last time for a while.

China Crisis opened the set in bright sunlight, having confidence as they entered the stage – with their singer sporting a Simple Minds T-shirt too. There was no fanfare – just song after song full of synth-pop and dreamy melodies that invited the crowd to dance along, sing along, clap along and sway along. Whilst some of their songs were a bit more soft and sentimental, the energy still hit the right spot for the crowd, with their 40-minute sent setting the tone for the night and preparing the crowd for the sonic force that would follow.

Simple Minds emerged from backstage like a group with unfinished business. With big grins in their faces and with a look that said ‘you don’t know what’s coming’, they launched into ‘Waterfront’ with a stage presence that frontmen half the age would dream of. The band wasted no time in engaging the crowd, hitting the drums and carving out guitar lines that had every single person bouncing on the barricade. Their setlist was a feast for the ears – ‘Love Song’ bringing on a retro cool euphoria, ‘Let There Be Love’ being a cinematic summer anthem, ‘Someone Somewhere in Summertime’ which needs no words to describe how much of a fitting soundtrack it was to the glorious weather, and of course, fan favourite ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ which seemed to pour out from every single person in the square.

The band even let the crowd take over some verses – stepping back and listening, the band shared moments with a crowd that felt more like a collective memory than a performance. Between the drum solos and interludes to introduce the band, there was some onstage banter which did not interrupt the flow of the show but complemented it. Simple Minds are one of the bands that show that songs can become bigger than their creators, and they very much performed to their best abilities full of energy and dynamism. It is to be noted that their female backing vocalist is incredible – and when she took the front of the stage for ‘Glittering Prize’ her voice lifted the track beyond the studio version. Nothing in the performance felt scripted despite the flirty winks and singalongs – it was just a band that very visibly enjoy what they do very much.

As the set closed with ‘Alive and Kicking’, there was a sense of disappointment that the night was ending. Fans of all ages – from lifelong followers to first-timers – seemed to thoroughly enjoy the set, becoming part of a great ending performance. Southampton was definitely treated to a band still writing their story in bold strokes.

Now on to wait until Summer Sessions 2026.