Spotlight On: Simply Red

By Jimi Arundell

Posted on Friday 26th November 2021 at 14:00

An image for Spotlight On: Simply Red

Led by the enigmatic Mick Hucknall, Simply Red combine sultry soul with a bright pop feel and have grown to become one of the biggest bands of all time after hitting Number 1 with five albums – including their international smash hit record Stars!

Having just announced an extra fourteen huge headline dates to their already massive tour; we tale a look at some of the monumental moments in the career of Simply Red. Book your tickets HERE!

 

 

Formation and Debut Album

Following his years as frontman for punk band The Frantic Elevators, singer / songwriter Mick Hucknall would reinvent himself as a soul singer in the mid-80’s and form Simply Red. In 1986, they would release acclaimed debut album Picture Book which includes their first single "Money's Too Tight (to Mention)", a cover of The Valentine Brothers, plus "Holding Back the Years".

Narrowly missing out on topping the charts, it would be the start of a glittering career that would see them sell over 50 million copies of the twelve albums released so far, be nominated for three prestigious Grammy Awards and Simply Red would become a household name around the world.

 

 

Stars

Having already proved themselves on their first three records Picture Book, Men And Women plus A New Flame which are all now multi-platinum, Simply Red would start the 90’s with what many consider their best-ever album – Stars.

Featuring the singles "Something Got Me Started", "For Your Babies", "Thrill Me", "Your Mirror" and of course title track “Stars”; the acclaimed album would shoot to Number 1 before becoming the best-selling album for two years running in Europe and reaching staggering 12x platinum sales in the U.K.

Stars is widely considered one of the best pop records of all time, it would come to define both the band and shape the sound of the pop landscape for much of the coming decade.

 

 

Hiatus and Return

Despite becoming one of the most successful British bands of all time, Hucknall announced a farewell tour from 2009 to 2010 which took Simply Red right around the country before performing to a packed-out crowd at The O2 Arena.

Fans feared it would be the last time they would ever hear their favourite songs ever again, but fortunately they reunited five years later for the Big Love Tour 2015 which saw the release of new record Big Love and celebrated their 30-year anniversary with shows across Europe.

 

 

New Tour – 2022!

Since reforming, Simply Red have also released their latest smash hit album Blue Eyed Soul which was described by critics as a true high in the band’s career which flew high into the Top 10.

More popular than ever, Simply Red announced headline dates at some of the biggest venues the U.K. has to offer – with even more dates added just this morning due to popular demand! Simply Red tickets are on sale HERE with Gigantic.

 

 

📆 FEBRUARY 2022

05/02    Simply Red – Bonus Arena, Hull

06/02    Simply Red – AO Arena, Manchester

08/02    Simply Red – Utilita Arena , Newcastle Upon Tyne

09/02    Simply Red – First Direct Arena, Leeds

11/02    Simply Red – OVO Hydro, Glasgow

12/02    Simply Red – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

13/02    Simply Red – Resorts World Arena, Birmingham

16/02    Simply Red – Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), Bournemouth

17/02    Simply Red – Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, Nottingham

19/02    Simply Red – The O2 Arena, London

20/02    Simply Red – The O2 Arena, London

23/02    Simply Red – Brighton Centre, Brighton

 

📆 JUNE 2022

11/06    Simply Red – The Embankment, Peterborough

15/06    Simply Red – Blenheim Palace, Woodstock

17/06    Simply Red – The Hop Farm, Tonbridge

25/06    Simply Red – Earlham Park, Norwich

 

📆 JULY 2022

01/07    Simply Red – Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln

10/07    Simply Red – Plymouth Central Park, Plymouth

22/07    Simply Red – Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Scarborough

23/07    Simply Red – Slessor Gardens, Dundee

28/07    Simply Red – Bedford Park, Bedford

 

📆 AUGUST 2022

04/08    Simply Red – Sandown Park, Esher

06/08    Simply Red – Castle Park, Colchester

07/08    Simply Red – Hatfield Park, Hatfield

09/08    Simply Red – Princes Street Gardens, EDINBURGH

13/08    Simply Red – Darlington Arena, Darlington

28/08    Simply Red – Vivary Park, Taunton

Simply Red tickets are available with Gigantic.

 

 


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