By Christopher Sparrow

Back in the day Simple Minds made great anthemic stadium-filling material that doubled as exhilarating driving music. Who wouldn’t want to motor along a country road to the sounds of Speed Your Love To Me?

Little has changed over the band’s career that is approaching an astonishing 40 years. Except now they are being welcomed by loyal fans on their current UK tour in more intimate settings.

The sound still resonates with deep bass rhythms and the distinctive wail of Charlie Burchill’s guitar and Jim Kerr’s song-writing has always had a prophetic edge that leaves you feeling awed, even if you don’t quite really know what he is on about.

There were moments of restraint in a pared-down version of The Americans, with the audience on backing vocals, and a particularly beautiful rendition of Book of Brilliant Things with the amazing Sarah Brown at the microphone. Along with the equally stunningly dressed Catherine A.D. she added visual appeal to a pretty awesome stage show which, thanks to some clever lighting effects, bordered on art.

The best came when deep and driving synth chords were overlaid by Burchill’s guitar and Kerr’s semi-religious evocations in classics such as New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84), Love Song, Waterfront and Don’t You (Forget About Me) - when the venue went into sixth gear and motored.