Two of the band’s original members remain within the current lineup, frontman Jim Kerr and multi-instrumentalist Charlie Burchill. Speaking of the new deal with the major label BMG, Kerr has given the following statement, “We are very pleased to have struck this deal. It feels like the right time for us and our families. We look forward to working with everyone at BMG.“

BMG President Repertoire and UK Marketing, Alistair Norbury has also commented on the new partnership, “There are few bands who can claim to have changed music, but over a period of 45 years Simple Minds have done precisely that. It has been a long courtship, but we are delighted to have the opportunity to be custodians of their outstanding catalogue. We are thrilled that BMG is now the musical home of Simple Minds, past, present, and future.”  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BMG (@thenewbmg)

  With a long and storied discography, the new deal with BMG will see the major company become host to a great deal of the band’s music. The band’s latest album was released in 2018 and was entitled Walk Between Worlds, released via BMG the album sired four singles and placed at number 4 within the UK album charts. Last month the band confirmed the arrival of new material and confirmed the new album’s release date. Entitled Direction Of The Heart, the album is set to be released on 21st October 2022 and will mark the band’s 18th studio album. The album sees Simple Minds collaborate with various guest artists including Sparks’ singer and former musical partner Russell Mael and songwriter Gary Clark.  

 The group’s website provides a description of the upcoming release, “Direction of The Heart’ finds the band at their most confident and anthemic best and is an inspired celebration of life, most evident on the captivating lead single ‘Vision Thing”. The album’s lead single, “Vision Thing”, was released on 14th June 2022 and was crowned BBC Radio 2’s Record Of The Week at the beginning of this month. The track was penned as a tribute to Kerr’s father who sadly passed away in 2019, the 63-year-old artist has spoken on the moving single, “How to make a feel-good ‘electro-rock’ record, during the very worst of times? ‘Direction Of The Heart’ is the result of that challenge. Who would have thought we’d have so much fun creating it?”  

 Simple Minds are currently conducting the European leg of their 40 Years Of Hits tour, the band embarked on the global tour in support of the new compilation album 40: The Best Of- 1979-2019. After 11 more European shows, the band will return to the UK for a series of concerts and events, the group’s first UK show is scheduled to occur on 9th August 2022 at Belfast’s Custom House Square. After a performance at Essex’s Audley End House, Simple Minds will perform at Edinburgh Summer Sessions on 12th August 2022. On 13th August 2022, the band will perform a special show in Edinburgh, all proceeds occurred through the event will be donated to UNICEF for Children In Ukraine. On 17th September 2022, Simple Minds will headline Radio 2 Live 2022; the band will share the Leeds stage with Tears For Fears, Craig David, Banarama, Ella Henderson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Kaiser Chiefs. 

Simple Minds UK tour dates

09/08/2022 – Custom House Square – Belfast
11/08 – Audley End House – Essex
12/08 – Edinburgh Summer Sessions – Edinburgh
13/08 – Edinburgh New Gold Dream UNICEF – Edinburgh
17/09 – Radio 2 Live 2022 – Leeds

Click here to purchase tickets.

Click here to pre-order Direction of The Heart.

UK fans were expecting to see the iconic band this August, but have now been informed of the rescheduled dates that will take place in February and August 2021. Luckily enough for fans, there has been no cancellation of any venues so all original tickets will still be valid for next year’s shows. The band have kept their followers posted through their official website and Facebook page, which announced the rescheduled dates for the UK last Friday.

The worldwide tour is set to include the rock band’s best hits from 1979-2019, acting as a time machine for those who have followed their music from the very start. There have been a number of performances and events which have been cancelled or postponed due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Fortunately for Simple Minds fans, although slightly later than expected, they are still able to see the band perform next summer.

Like most of us, the band are trying their best to keep busy during this time and are finding new ways to interact with their followers. Lead singer of Simple Minds, Jim Kerr, has put together his own Spotify playlist for the month of June. The singer-songwriter has compiled a list of songs for this month and has shared why he has chosen these particular tracks to feature. Click here for the full list of songs and Kerr’s personal reasons for choosing them.

Simple Minds rescheduled 2021 UK tour dates

February 2021

09/02/2021 – Motorpoint Arena – Cardiff
12/02 – First Direct Arena – Leeds
15/02 – INTL Centre – Bournemouth
16/02 – Brighton Centre – Brighton
18/02 – SSE Hydro Arena – Glasgow
19/02 – Resorts World Arena – Birmingham
20/02 –  SSE Arena, Wembley – London

August 2021

12/08/2021 – M&S Bank Arena – Liverpool
12/08 – Summer Sessions – Edinburgh
17/08 – P&J Live – Aberdeen
19/08 – Bonus Arena – Hull
20/08 – Utilita Arena – Newcastle
21/08 – Motorpoint Arena – Nottingham
23/08 – Custom House Square – Belfast

Updates for all rescheduled worldwide dates can be found on Simple Minds website.

The gates first opened for the festival on Thursday July 26, and was due to run until the night on July 29, seeing the likes of Orbital, Simple Minds, and The Undertones take to the stage at the Lulworth Castle site. However, the festival organisers issued a statement saying that the site had to be close as a safety precaution, following several flood warnings issued across England and Wales over the weekend, following a nigh-on unprecedented heat wave in the UK.

Update from Camp Bestival. pic.twitter.com/cWl3tyXqQH

— Camp Bestival (@CampBestival) July 29, 2018

The post continues: “You are by far the best festival audience and we love you dearly. This has been such a tough decision, but the safety of all you guys, the families, kids, and our working staff has to be of paramount importance.

“The campsites will remain open tonight if you want to continue with your Camp Bestival stay regardless of the conditions. Thank you so much for coming and please get home safely.”

Fans shared recorded footage of the damage caused by the weather, with the general consensus being that the right decision was made to cut the event short.

@SkyNews loved my time at #CampBestival but an early escape was essential. Wow, what a weekend, what a storm pic.twitter.com/aG2qWjB8Ih

— mel Brolly (@melmel2801) July 29, 2018

#campbestival come down. Decamped to pub waiting for storm to subside. #remainers #campmageddon pic.twitter.com/EjdrS53pCB

— Alison Richards (@richards_alison) July 29, 2018

Bestival itself is still scheduled to go ahead at the same site next weekend, with London Grammar, Silk City (Diplo and Mark Ronson’s collaborative proect) and M.I.A, confirmed to headline. Last week, an offer for two-for-one day tickets surfaced online, which you can look into here.