On Friday May 30th, the 80s legends Simple Minds brought their Alive & Kicking Tour to Austin’s Moody Center with openers Soft Cell and Modern English.
Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band that played a critical role in shaping the beloved genre of 80s rock. The group rose out of Glasgow in the late 70s, originally as a punk band under a different alias. In a year’s time, they regrouped and rebranded as Simple Minds, with their debut album Life in a Day released shortly after in 1979. However, it wasn’t until their second full-length album, New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84) that the band began to find commercial success.
Fan favorite tracks like “Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)” brought a new era. This proved only the beginning of Simple Minds’ success story. Their best-known song, “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” followed. Featured in The Breakfast Club, it topped charts worldwide in 1985. Throughout their career, the band released music celebrated by multiple generations. Their songs provide the soundtrack to some of our best memories.
Austin’s stunning Moody Center, placed right at the edge of the University of Texas, welcomed Simple Minds, Soft Cell, and Modern English with open arms. The crowd flocked into their seats far before the headliner went on, ready for a full night of legendary acts. Soft Cell hit the stage at 8 PM: Dave Ball on keys, Marc Almond commanding the mic front and center.
Kicking off with “Memorabilia,” Almond’s expressive hands floated, captivating the audience beyond his moody vocals. Dressed in all black, the pair delivered an invigorating performance filled with the pure joy only true 80s synth-pop provides. Attendees of all ages danced and sang in unison in their air as they played through timeless classics such as “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” and “Tainted Love,” providing a connection through every generation in the arena.
Still riding Soft Cell’s energy, the crowd anticipated Simple Minds’ arrival. Around 9:15, the group gave Moody Center what it wanted, strutting on stage. Golden lights illuminated their entrance and “Waterfront” began. Fans grasped the barricade as frontman Jim Kerr owned the stage. He moved through dramatic splits and knelt, maintaining impressive vocal control. This energy was evident throughout the band. They played with young rockers’ charisma and power for the entire performance.
Filled with strobing lights, guitar solos, powerfully deep vocals, and a sort of groovy darkness that Simple Minds has mastered, their set kept everyone continuously captivated. The band’s performance of “New Gold Dream 81/82/83/84” was a standout one. Rectangular visuals matched the era of the tune, teleporting everyone into a different time along with ethereal lyrics, “Burning bridge and ecstasy, crashing beats and fantasy,” and synthy sounds. The crowd chanted along to every “81-82-83-84” and threw their hands up in the air, uniting their energy with the group.
Another memorable moment came with “Theme of Great Cities”. Fittingly, black and white visuals showed wandering city streets as a bass guitar began a ghostly opera. Soon, a stunning electric guitar and uptempo drums emerged, breeding new intensity. The instrumental track built darkness and electricity, concluding in dreamy psychedelic white circles spinning.
Simple Minds’ set was filled with a plethora of unforgettable live renditions, hit songs, and unwavering vigor that left everyone spellbound long after the final note was played.
I am a photographer and live music lover based in Austin and raised in Houston. I recently graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, where I studied Marketing and co-led the photo team at Afterglow ATX. I feel most at home where people are moshing, thrifting, or sipping coffee. My favorite artists include The Maine, Pierce The Veil, 5SOS (+ Luke's solo work), Waterparks, MCR, Taylor Swift, and Harry Styles.
