Simply Red / Valeriya

Making my way back to the venue in which I spent many weekends of my youth, I was surprised to see that the NEC hasn't really changed much over the years. A champagne bar has been added, and a few more eateries, but apart from that, it's still the mammoth shed that I remember, albeit now called the LG Arena.

It’s been a while since I’ve been there, so it was rather apt that I was there to watch one of the bands I've enjoyed for many years, Simply Red. Working their way round the world touring their Greatest Hits, Mick Hucknall has announced this tour as the last time the Simply Red repertoire will be performed, as he wishes, after performing them for 25 years, to concentrate on music with 'less pop overtones and more influences from rhythm and blues of the 50's and 60's'.

Arriving some time after the doors opened, but before the support act came on, the venue was filling up; with those not queuing at the bars already taking their seats.

With no introductions, Russian pop singer, Valeriya, took to the stage with her small band. A strange choice of support for the great Simply Red, Valeriya 'treated' us to half an hour of Euro drivel, supported by her jumper wearing musicians.

A tall, attractive blonde, with a dress covered in more sparkles than a mirror ball, Valeriya's songs were straight out a 1980's Eurovision Song Contest, with numbers including 'Out Of Control', I Know Where To Go', and a variety of other power ballads that I didn’t catch the name of. The songs were supported by Valeriya’s over the top anguished expressions, and air guitar straight out of ‘School of Rock’. They tried though, with the drummer at one point attempting to get the audience clapping above their heads. Unsuccessfully.

Gladly, the band were not on for too long, and with a final Latin number that cheekily sampled James Brown, the Russian superstar (she's apparently their equivalent of Madonna) left the stage to polite clapping from the crowd.

As it appeared most of the audience were now queuing for toilets, I chanced a quick trip to the bar, before getting ready for the main event.



Venue lights dimmed, and to rapturous applause, the Simply Red band and vocalists walked onto stage. Hucknall was not far behind, and with a beaming smile, and an equally bright suit, launched into 'It’s Only Love'.

From this point on, we were taken on a journey through all the hits, 'A New Flame', 'Your Mirror' and the track originally performed with Sly and Robbie, 'Night Nurse'. This track went down particularly with the audience, Birmingham being renowned for its love of reggae.

Not one to just sing one song after another, Hucknall made a point of engaging with the 13,000 strong audience, commencing 'Holding Back The Years' with a mischievous "this song made me bloody famous', and taking time to introduce his long-time backing singers Dee Johnson and Sarah Brown.

From there, we were taken on a musical journey, starting with 'The Air That I Breathe from Manchester's The Hollies, accompanied by some great wah wah guitar; and then "heading further South to Birmingham' for 'Go Now', originally recorded by the first incarnation of Brummie band, The Moody Blues, when Denny Laine was their vocalist.

Despite singing his songs for what must be the thousandth time, Hucknall was perfection embodied; singing his heart out with energy and grace, as if performing them for the first time.



With such a strong catalogue of hits, and with a tight band, no gimmicks were required on stage; a couple of screens gave close-ups to those further away from the stage, and the lighting was atmospheric, but not distracting. The only move away from this being searchlights on the audience, before the start of 'Thrill Me'.

Hucknall's joviality continued throughout, asking guitarist, Kenji Suzuki, to "make it funky" before launching into 'Come To My Aid'; and getting his dancing feet on for the Hall & Oates' sampling of 'Sunrise'. The samba beat of 'Fairground' brought the last few seated audience members to their feet as well; before Hucknall and his band left the stage for a short rest.

Two encores brought us some of Simply Red's favourite songs, with 'Something Got Me Started', and 'Money's Too Tight To Mention' (which was preceded by a short interlude regarding trying to find rhyming words for bankers), and a perfect finale of 'Stars' and 'If You Don't Know Me By Now'.

A great evening of classic pop/soul music, performed by an exceptional singer. It's a shame that these songs won't be played for much longer, but with his talent, Hucknall's next 25 years should be as good as the last, just different.



Set list:
It's Only Love
A New Flame
Your Mirror
Jericho
Night Nurse
For Your Babies
Holding Back The Years
You Make Me Feel Brand New
The Air That I Breathe
Go Now
Thrill Me
Fake
Come To My Aid
The Right Thing
Sunrise
Fairground

Something Got Me Started
Money's Too Tight To Mention

Stars
If You Don't Know Me By Now

FUTURE GIGS