Entertainment
Simply Red at Royal Hospital Chelsea: Even the damp and chill couldn’t sap the joy-David Bennun-Entertainment – Metro
The weather couldn’t dampen the spirits with Mick Hucknall on stage (Picture: Betty Laura Zapata)
British outdoor summer shows are always hostages to the weather. Less so festival sets, where rain and mud are priced in. But a tour playing to genteel older audiences in gracious venues depends largely on sunshine to generate the vibe.
That’s surely why Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall spent the first few minutes wisecracking about an anticipated heatwave that proved to be blustery drizzle.
He knew the band would have to do all the warming up themselves.
He’d also chosen a set that waited four numbers before lighting into a really Big Tune (A New Flame), giving the sound a chance to settle, and numerous stragglers time to reach their seats.
Hucknall could fill the whole show with Big Tunes, were he prepared to play the Stars album in its near entirely, but he’s justly proud of Simply Red’s catalogue – the finest and freshest retro-soul oeuvre in pop, bar none – and likes to see the whole thing represented.
So there was no Thrill Me, or For Your Babies, or Wonderland, despite these sublime numbers being better songs than some of the covers he selected – although Night Nurse was a perfect fit, underlining that Hucknall could easily have been as great a lovers rock vocalist as he is a soul singer.
A Simply Red show is as good as its setlist (Picture: Betty Laura Zapata)
What he isn’t is a natural showman.
It’s always all about the music with Hucknall, which is why a Simply Red show is as good as its setlist.
And why things truly came to life towards the end with Stars and Something Got Me Started, timed for dusk, when even the damp and chill couldn’t sap the joy of a now-blissed out crowd caught up in the moment.
Simply Red are on a nationwide tour.
MORE : That Is Not Who I Am review: A gripping show that subverts theatre conventions
MORE : Harry Styles in concert at Wembley review: A spellbinding and electric experience packed with joy and heart
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
The weather couldn’t dampen the spirits with Mick Hucknall on stage (Picture: Betty Laura Zapata)
British outdoor summer shows are always hostages to the weather. Less so festival sets, where rain and mud are priced in. But a tour playing to genteel older audiences in gracious venues depends largely on sunshine to generate the vibe.
That’s surely why Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall spent the first few minutes wisecracking about an anticipated heatwave that proved to be blustery drizzle.
He knew the band would have to do all the warming up themselves.
He’d also chosen a set that waited four numbers before lighting into a really Big Tune (A New Flame), giving the sound a chance to settle, and numerous stragglers time to reach their seats.
Hucknall could fill the whole show with Big Tunes, were he prepared to play the Stars album in its near entirely, but he’s justly proud of Simply Red’s catalogue – the finest and freshest retro-soul oeuvre in pop, bar none – and likes to see the whole thing represented.
So there was no Thrill Me, or For Your Babies, or Wonderland, despite these sublime numbers being better songs than some of the covers he selected – although Night Nurse was a perfect fit, underlining that Hucknall could easily have been as great a lovers rock vocalist as he is a soul singer.
A Simply Red show is as good as its setlist (Picture: Betty Laura Zapata)
What he isn’t is a natural showman.
It’s always all about the music with Hucknall, which is why a Simply Red show is as good as its setlist.
And why things truly came to life towards the end with Stars and Something Got Me Started, timed for dusk, when even the damp and chill couldn’t sap the joy of a now-blissed out crowd caught up in the moment.
Simply Red are on a nationwide tour.
MORE : That Is Not Who I Am review: A gripping show that subverts theatre conventions
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Entertainment – MetroRead More
