Like many other bands throughout history, Simple Minds became world famous thanks to a film. They performed one of their greatest anthems, 'Don't you (forget about me)', which was the soundtrack of the legendary film 'The Breakfast Club' in 1985. From then on, they were forever on the musical map. With this song they achieved their biggest hit and scandalous figures, as it swept the charts and also the shops, to the point that it is recognised as one of the 100 best-selling singles of all time.
And it turns out that it was a real 'carambola' of destiny. Why, you may ask, because the song is not by Simple Minds. Well, because the song is not by Simple Minds, nor were they the first choice to perform it, nor, when it was proposed to them, were they very willing to record it in the first place.
The song's composers are Keith Forsey, used to creating magic with songs like 'Flashdance ... What a Feeling'. What a Feeling', and Steve Schiff, a musician and composer who has accompanied, among others, Nina Hagen. It was the band's record label at the time, A&M Records, that connected the song, which as Jim Kerr himself said in the previous phase was still a demo, with the Simple Minds.
And after a few conversations, they decided to give it shape. Only three months later 'The Breakfast Club' was released in cinemas and, since then, we haven't stopped hearing about the Scottish Simple Minds.
And they have not stopped their machinery, despite the ups and downs they have experienced from their foundation in 1977 to the present day.
In 2018 they offer us at Noches del Botánico one of the few occasions to enjoy their show in Spain. They arrive, in addition, to present us their new album, 'Walk Between Worlds', released by BMG in February of this year and that perfectly crystallizes the intensity of the band that has made us get 'Alive & Kicking', 'All the things she said' or 'Belfast Child' along with the maturity of a group that treasures several decades of life.
This Saturday's concert features Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, two of the band's original members who have been with the band since the beginning. They are joined by percussionist Cherisse Osei, vocalist Catherine AD, plus Ged Grimes on bass, multi-instrumentalist Gordy Goudie, and singer Sarah Brown.
Walk Between Worlds', produced by Simple Minds with Andy Wright and Gavin Goldberg, has received fantastic critical acclaim, to the point of being called the Scottish band's best album in 30 years -according to the prestigious MOJO magazine-.
In addition to the classic Simple Minds anthems, linked to new wave or post punk, this Saturday June 30 will be played at the Real Jardín Botánico de Alfonso XIII songs like 'Magic', the first single from this new album, as well as 'Summer', 'Barrowland Star' or 'The Signal And The Noise'.
As Jim Kerr himself explains,"as much as it's been a real pleasure to work on 'Walk Between Worlds' , it's equally exciting to watch the Simple Minds storycontinue to evolve both in the studio and on the live stage.... Each of these songs are destined to become individual events when played live, we look forward to performing them all together alongside the established classics".
If you have a certain fondness for the 80s and their dances, we recommend that you don't miss the opportunity to attend this concert. And for those of you who really like the band, here's some good news: it has recently been announced that the original line-up will be reuniting later this year to record new songs. For now they are talking about a couple of songs, but it will be memorable for sure.
And while this comes, let's enjoy their live show at Noches del Botánico on Saturday June 30 in an evening in which they will be accompanied by the band Gimnástica.
