Simple Minds perform at Toyota Pavilion in Concord, Calif. on May 20, 2025. Sean Liming/STAFF. CONCORD, Calif. — As it turns out, the universal language is “la, la-la-la-la.” “Let’s try something different,” Simple Minds frontman shouted around the eight-minute mark of an 11-minute rendition of the band’s biggest hit,…

Simple Minds (Jim Kerr third from left). Courtesy Dean Chalkley. To introduce Simple Minds fans to the next chapter of their band, vocalist Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill wrote a song that looks backward. “Vision Thing”—the first single from new album Direction Of The Heart, as well as…

The history of rock and roll is a series of revolutions during which young insurgents dethrone the previous kings and queens who have grown fat and lazy. Chuck Berry unseated T-Bone Walker. The Beatles unseated Elvis. Nirvana unseated big hair metal. New Wave: Dare To Be Different Streaming on…

Simple Minds, “Walk Between Worlds.” “Magic,” the first track off of Simple Minds‘ latest release, would never be picked out of a lineup by a casual fan. Absent are lead vocalist Jim Kerr’s signature baritone pleadings. Instead, he tries on a lighter style that doesn’t quite scratch the itch…