Pictured above: Simple Minds performing in Phoenix, AZ on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

From left, Charlie Burchill, Erik Ljunggren and Jim Kerr on May 25. Photo credit: Charles Edington

Alive & Kicking Tour 2025

Who: Simple Minds, Soft Cell, Modern English

Where: Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, AZ

When: Sunday, May 25, 2025

Next: Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on May 27; Moody Center in Austin, Texas on May 30; and other North American dates continuing through June 22, 2025

Information: simpleminds.com

Review by Robert Kinsler

Simple Minds performing at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, AZ on Sunday night, May 25, 2025. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

Simple Minds has embarked on the band's most ambitious North American tour in four decades, and based on the Scottish troupe's stop in Phoenix on Sunday night, the so-called "Alive & Kicking Tour 2025" is one of the most aptly-titled music tours in memory.

Jim Kerr in Phoenix on May 25. Photo credit: Kim Kinsler

For 90 glorious minutes the seven-member troupe thrilled on an especially warm evening at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre with a mix of original material blending art rock, new wave, alt rock and synth pop into a signature sound that sounds as fresh and relevant today as it did in the 1980s. Impressive visuals — including visually stunning graphics that displayed on the rear and side projection screens — enhanced the concert.

With founding members Jim Kerr (lead vocals) and Charlie Burchill (lead guitar) leading the charge, the band's 18-song set built momentum from the time Simple Minds took the stage at 9:12 p.m. Opening with an explosive version of the band's 1983 worldwide hit "Waterfront," Kerr's powerful vocals were in artful sync with the song's luxurious arrangement. 

Simple Minds drummer Cherisse Osei in action. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

Other early set highlights included the arena-minded rocker "Speed Your Love to Me" bolstered by Cherisse Osei's fantastic drumming, "Let There Be Love" with Kerr going into the crowd to sing the sentimental song, the evocative "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" adorned with Burchill's atmospheric fret work and Sarah Brown's backing vocals, and the hard-charging electronica art rocker "This Fear of Gods."

From left,  Jim Kerr and Sarah Brown. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

Late set standouts included the sweeping "Promised You a Miracle," a powerhouse drum solo courtesy of Osei, a beautifully nuanced take on "See the Lights" showcasing Kerr's incredible lead vocals, and an extended version of "Don't You (Forget About Me)" that featured a lengthy crowd sing-along.

 

Jim Kerr impressing with his top-tier vocals. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

The encore included the soulful "Book of Brilliant Things" featuring Brown on lead vocals, and the one-two punch of the synth-swept "Alive and Kicking" and the anthemic rocker "Sanctify Yourself." The other members of Simple Minds include bassist Ged Grimes, acoustic guitarist Gordy Goudie and keyboardist Erik Ljunggren — all of whom whose talents contributed to a great set.

 

Modern English / Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

Opening the night was British band Modern English (seen above), whose current line-up includes original members Robbie Grey (lead vocals), Michael Conroy (bass, vocals), and Stephen Walker (keyboards). Over the course of 30 minutes the English outfit performed a mix of great new and old material. The Neo-punk rocker "Long in the Tooth" off the band's most recent album (last year's 1234) was especially powerful, while takes of their classic 1980s material (the reflective "Hands Across the Sea" and the set-ending "I Melt With You") also resonated with the audience.

 

Soft Cell / Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

Next up was Soft Cell, the English synth-pop duo founded by vocalist Marc Almond and instrumentalist David Ball. The duo scored a dozen top 40 hits in the United Kingdom, but is best known in the U.S. for their hit "Tainted Love," the latter delivered via an extended version in Phoenix. Other highlights included the electronica techno opener "Memorabilia" (featuring snippets of several Madonna hits), the catchy "Purple Zone" with a lovely chorus and dance-minded "The Night" (the latter a cover of the Four Seasons' 1972 hit).