17 Mar, 2010 OZ-NZ Here We Come!
Mention to anyone involved with the band that there is even a chance of going to play in Australia and New Zealand and will not fail to see a smile spreads across their faces. It’s been that way in fact since we first went “down under” in ’81 and it continued still earlier this year when we were invited to Melbourne to play at their upcoming Grand Prix concert.
It was an opportunity we did not want to pass up on and although fairly last minute, we also managed to quickly arrange shows in Sydney and Auckland. The additional shows will make the trip even more enjoyable, especially as all of these cities never fail to welcome us and with great affection. We are as usual looking forward to giving our best to the fans and friends that plan on coming along, in truth we are relishing the prospect of these first concerts of what is after all the start of a whole new era – one that sees the passing of our Graffiti Soul phase – and the first steps into the new.
The shows last year were among the best ever and I cannot see that we will fail to lead on from where we left off in snowy Germany last December. Likewise, just as a look out window will testify that a new season has set in everywhere around, I am excited that a new batch of Minds songs have also started to spring up – and are already sounding very good.
Out side of the concerts and on a personal level, it is always a bonus when you go to work in countries that you would also chose to visit for pleasure. Since it will be almost Easter holidays the world over I intend to use the few days break that follow the Auckland show to have a bit more of a look around NZ. In doing so I will savor these moments of leisure, they are the last I am likely to experience within this extremely busy year.
On returning to Europe I will be immersed in promotional activities for my recently announced new project LOSTBOY! AKA (www.lostboyaka.com)
Already many fans of Simple Minds have shown great support for this new story and I thank them for the great boost that comes with that.
With a debut album to be released May 16, and a handful of live LOSTBOY! AKA dates to follow, this is obviously an exciting challenge for me. It is one that I want to see continue in parallel with the targets that we have set for the on going future of Simple Minds.
But it’s first things first and with that I say OZ and NZ – here we come!
Jim Kerr