It Had To Be Glasgow!

It Had To Be Glasgow!

In the end it had to be Glasgow! I am of course talking about where we have decided to shoot the Simple Minds in concert film that is due to be released next year. Our first filmed concert release incidentally, since our quite famous Verona concert, which was itself released in 1990. Yes, that long, a whole lifetime away in someways.
But why Glasgow, and even more so, why now in particular?
Well, among those with the experience to judge, many would probably agree with the notion that Simple Minds shows are currently hitting a new kind of peak. Put it down to the present band line – up, the vast selection of songs, the quality of sound and lights, and never forgetting of course, the involvement of our energetic audiences that play such a part wherever we perform. It is the amazing consistency of all of this that has pushed us into deciding that this would be the right moment to capture these hot and sweaty, but still magical nights, that we are in the midst of experiencing.
And why Glasgow? No, it is not only sentimental reasoning that has made us commit to choosing our “Dear Hometown”. Although that obviously figures somewhere. And why not? We are a Scottish band after all, and Glasgow not only gave birth to Simple Minds, but has nourished and encouraged us throughout our careers. Scotland itself, has and will always be intrinsic to who we are, and how we sound. It is our “alma mater”, let’s never forget! Like the place itself , we are made out of the same “rock and rain”, therefore what could be a more relevant situation?
But why in that case, you might ask, having read my bluster. Have we never filmed a Glasgow show prior to this? Well, Barrowlands apart, where we did after all film the Waterfront clip, we feel that Glasgow has in the past suffered in terms of having the most desirable venues. In other words, we never felt that we had a venue that we could show off to the world, one that matches the impressiveness of a Scottish audience. Until now that is.
Because finally change has – a – come, in the form of the newly built and recently opened SSE Hydro arena. And by all accounts we are now all set to film in a venue that can provide the kind of environment that Simple Minds live in Glasgow probably deserve, and we now have building that merits showing off.
So please wish us luck on Wednesday 27th of November. Given that it is also the birthday of Charlie Burchill, such a date will always play a part in the history of Simple Minds. Nevertheless, in Glasgow next Wednesday, Simple Minds will be trying to add a little more history to our as yet never ending story.
Jim Kerr
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