Music

Gig of the Week: No nuance, but plenty of energy, from the perpetually naff Simple Minds

Uncool and unfashionable they may be, but the Glasgow band still bring the energy to their Dublin gig

Jim Kerr: the Simple Minds frontman remains in full-on fervent showman mood as he whips up the crowd at every turn in a manner that belies his age

Simple Minds, 3 Arena, Dublin, March 18, rating: ***

Three songs in and Jim Kerr is reminiscing about Simple Minds’ long association with Ireland. “Saint Francis Xavier Hall,” the singer mentions to a raucous response, referencing one of the Glaswegian’s early Irish shows at the defunct SFX some 40 years ago.

There’s mention also of holidays in Bray, living in Killiney and the 1983 gig at the Phoenix Park. When 1985’s Once Upon A Time ...