A musical extravaganza is about to happen as the majestic Simple Minds join forces with the party vibes of The B-52s, playing Melbourne and Sydney this February 2017.
Scotland’s Simple Minds and Athens, Georgia natives The B-52s may be from opposite sides of the globe, but what they have in common is elusive combination of critical acclaim, cult status and mainstream success of their musical careers.
Australia was the first country in the world to give the band its first ever hit single ‘Love Song’ and first Gold album New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84). The band's love affair with the country has continued ever since, through countless chart-toppers like ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’, ‘Alive and Kicking’, ‘Promised You A Miracle’, ‘Glittering Prize’ and ‘Waterfront’ spanning eight Top 20 albums and hugely successful concert tours. Throughout their lengthy career, the band has retained its enviable reputation as one of The great live concert bands.
Their 16th album Big Music, released 18 months ago, rekindled the band’s energy and attitude and won rave reviews:
"Their best album in 30 years." - Mojo
"Simple Minds at their ideal fighting weight." - Q Magazine
"Big Music is the genuine article: a remarkable record that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any of Simple Minds' first five albums." - Record Collector
"One of the world’s great live bands" - BBC
When The B-52s – Fred Schneider, Cindy Wilson, Kate Pierson and Keith Strickland - toured Australia for a day on the green and indoor shows in 2009, the response was overwhelming! Irreverent and hugely entertaining, the band’s cosmic appeal was irresistible.
"Who else offers helium-voiced go-go girls, a camp, barking (in every sense) frontman and sprawling sci-fi new wave? Yes, they look and often sound fantastic, with steely surf guitar riding waves of propulsive rhythms to the Love Shack and back." – Sydney Morning Herald
"With their big wigs, wacky tunes and goofball dance moves -- all of which sit comfortably within the band's friendly brand of psychedelia -- their credentials as dance-floor favourites are impressive." – The Australian
"There are all the wonderful riffs and melodies which made the B-52s so danceable, so irreverent and so addictive." – Your Brisbane
Frontman Jim Kerr said:
“It’s been said Simple Minds has a love affair with Australia and I think that’s true. It was the first country anywhere in the world to give us success and from our very first tours, we’ve always had a wonderful bond with Australian audiences. We have so many fantastic memories and can’t wait to be playing there again”.
With their odd and unconventional take on the new wave sound of the era, the B-52’s put Athens, Georgia on the musical map. Their irrepressible live shows and massive hits like ‘Rock Lobster’, ‘Private Idaho’, ‘Roam’ and the barnstorming ‘Love Shack’, which notched up eight weeks at #1 on the Australian charts, have endeared them to audiences worldwide.
The B-52’s said:
“It has been seven years since we have toured Australia and we are just thrilled to be returning! Yes - we’ll be coming back to ‘wonder down under’ on an amazing tour with Simple Minds. Come party with us!”
Apart from these headline shows, the two bands will also roam across the country for a series of A Day On The Green concerts with Models and Machinations, still in February next year.
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