While maybe not an intimate venue, with a capability of simply 2000, it's actually a small alternative for British soul pop sensation Simply Red’s solely 2023 UK efficiency. It’s undoubtedly not the stadium occasion I used to be anticipating for the launch of their thirteenth studio album Time.

This solitary present felt extra like a shock heat up gig forward of Mick and the boys making a fast jaunt to Dubai earlier than heading off to spend summer time in mainland Europe on the pageant path.

For its half, the Shepherd’s Bush Empire delivers a superb ambiance. It’s a Monday night and the solar is simply setting over West London.

The present is offered out and the stalls are full of an excited and eclectic crowd; an actual combined bag by way of age. Testament to Simply Red’s 40year capacity to remain current. The suspense begins to construct. Will Mick Hucknall's voice have stood the take a look at of Time?

Just earlier than 9, the band flood onto the stage and are met with enraptured cheers from the group. Now we anticipate Mick. As quickly as the group erupts with whistles, screaming and clapping, it is apparent that Mick has arrived.

Hucknall will not be Simply Red’s entrance man; he's Simply Red. And like most of us, Mick will not be holding again the years, nevertheless it’s apparent from the very first line of Better With You that his voice is. His presence is totally easy. Ever nonetheless the blue eyed, fiery haired voice of soul.

Mick’s heat Mancunian accent welcomes everybody to the present and all of a sudden the venue appears even smaller like you may be sat throughout from him in a pub.

Thrill Me and Fake are the appetisers that observe and they don't disappoint. Mick is unbelievably nimble and whips the microphone lead across the stage agilely towards a backdrop of soppy, smoky pinks and blues and crimson. An actual class act.

Hucknall may be in his 60s however stepping on stage is sort of a time machine transporting us again to the 80s; queue You’ve Got It and the viewers are mesmerised, swaying in concord.

But it's in fact Stars which the group goes completely nuts for, all arms are within the sky for this one. Mick’s vocals are implausible and the tune is arguably the most effective soul songs of all time. After this the viewers wants no encouragement to get shifting. Ian Kirkham’s saxophone solos help in ensuring of this.

While that is meant to be an album launch present and a choice of tracks from Time are showcased in all their glory (notably Just For You, an amazing tune), Simply Red don't deny the group of a time journey pitstop with Money’s Too Tight to Mention, Night Nurse, and Come to My Aid.

I felt a bit upset when the long-lasting Fairground, Holding Back the Years and If You Don’t Know Me by Now didn’t make it into the setlist however all was forgiven when Mick and co delivered a superb efficiency of Sunrise to kick begin the encore for an ever-hungry crowd.

Simply Red completed with Nutbush City Limits, a really candy ode to the late musical legend Tina Turner, which made for a stunning and charming end to an amazing present. I might rush again to see Simply Red dwell in a heartbeat.

Hopefully a stadium tour subsequent yr Mick?