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Empires And Dance Tour 1980
"We're having a pretty hard time on this tour. The audience seems to be real early Genesis fans - age
about 28 to 30, Yes T-shirts - and they're not really interested in any support band.
But it's still good to play again."
- Jim Kerr.
Peter Gabriel came to the band's rescue. Impressed by the experimental edge of
Real To Real Cacophony, he offered them the support on his European
Peter Gabriel III tour. Not only did he offer them support, he also paid their expenses.
The tour was problematic, not only for the relatively unknown Scots band, but also for the organisers, who had to reschedule
several dates (some down to riots at Donovan gigs!)
Simple Minds had also changed, swelling
their numbers to six for the tour. Paul Wishart
from Endgames joined them on the tour as their sax player.
"Our visit is for work, as it was when we first visited both these cities back in 1980
playing support to Peter Gabriel.
Barely 21 years of age, that tour was a huge learning curve for us. Having the chance to observe the genius of
Peter Gabriel up close every night was a true dividend in terms of helping us
develop as a live act. We will always be grateful to Peter for the opportunity.
Unfortunately however, we had more than a few painful experiences from the audiences that had come to see
Peter Gabriel only - and very little interest in a then relatively unknown, new-wave band
from Glasgow.
Sometimes when looking back I wonder if my memories are exaggerated and that the reception to
Simple Minds was not quite as dramatic as I recall. It is then of course that I check to see if any
reviews exist from that tour, ones that are able to verify my recollections. Having done so, I sometimes find that
the reality was in fact worse than my recall. The following from Turin in 1980 is one example.
"Support act for Peter Gabriel were the very young Simple Minds, which
at the time - they had their third album out Empires And Dance - were in really
excellent shape. Unfortunately almost nobody knew who they were, and even less people had been informed of a support act at all: the
result were boohoos and whistles and bottles thrown towards the stage that still make me blush with shame remembering it. I was
one of the uninitiated, but Jim Kerr's magnetism and the hypnotic rhythm and cadence
of Capital City cast a spell and I was "in love" for at least a decade afterwards."
Ouch!!!! Ah, well! We survived and most definitely thrived and here we are 37 years later." - Jim, 28th April 2017.
"Already 40 years ago this month? Even so I can still recall with ease the excitement when in August 1980 we
got the unexpected call asking if Simple Minds would be interested in touring mainland Europe as opening
act to Peter Gabriel."
"Would we be interested? What an understatement that was."
"Consider the surrounding facts. Huge Peter Gabriel fans, we had all spent
that entire summer listening to Gabriel's latest album. A bonafide hit with its mix of innovative sounds and startling
collection of songs including Biko and 'Games Without Frontiers' - it is often
listed among the best of that year, no mean feat considering among others that both Bowie and Talking Heads
had also released epic albums in that same period."
"Consider additionally what the invite meant to both Charlie Burchill and
me - with our memories of waiting - as mere 14 year olds - outside the Apollo Theatre in Glasgow - desperately hoping for
Peter Gabriel to sign our concert tickets - back in the days when he was the lead
singer with Genesis. I think I still have that signed ticket lying around somewhere? If I remember correctly we
paid £1:20 for front row circle seats."
"In any case. How could it be possible that our lives had panned out in a fashion that would see us go from
starstruck fans, a handful of years previous, to fronting our very own band - and about to accompany
Gabriel on his sold out European arena tour?"
"And what a challenge that tour turned out to be."
"Still largely unknown at the time, Simple Minds unfortunately were not able to connect with
Peter's audience as much as we had hoped for.
Most nights, despite giving our very best, we walked off stage to the sound of our own feet. The exceptions being
in Paris, where they booed us throughout 5 successive nights, followed by Turin where the audience took to bombarding
me with all manner of debris."
"And yet I don't recall at any point getting too downhearted by the response."
"Far from it. Our band was sounding great and getting better with every show. Therefore why not enjoy the opportunity
to perform regardless of the apathy and the adversities? Why not soak up the experience of working on a bigger stage while
repeatedly watching 'a master' (Gabriel) mesmerise his audiences on a nightly basis?
In the end it all turned out to be a most valuable learning experience for Simple Minds. We not only lived to fight
another day, but years later we experienced the sensation of packing out those same venues repeatedly on our own
headlining tours."
"Thinking about all of that now, it is impossible to overlook just how well we were treated by
Peter Gabriel, his band and crew, and his then manager, Gail Colson.
I guess they had all at sometime within their own careers toured around as 'the opening act' and had undoubtedly experienced
the hardships that can go with it. Their kindness and encouragement meant much to us during those weeks we spent together.
It also shaped our own attitudes to artists who find themselves on tour with Simple Minds - wherein we try to make
them feel a valued part of our tour. If at all possible we try to make them feel part of our 'touring family.'"
"Further to that I'm also thinking how much Peter Gabriel was
'ahead of the game'... And not only on stage. It may have been 40 years ago, but Peter
was already extolling the virtues of cycling around some of the cities he would visit. Including sometimes cycling (unnoticed)
through the crowds that were making their ways to venues he was set to play that night. Cycling as we all know is incredibly
popular again these days."
"Likewise, Gabriel's attitude to vegetarianism. Back then you'd be considered to
be a freak were you to choose to live by eating a mainly plant based diet. Now? Well, it's almost commonplace."
"And finally, just this morning as I now set out on my daily swim. I recall how enthusiastic
Peter was about swimming on a daily basis or at least wherever and whenever
it was possible to do so while on tour." - Jim, 7th August 2020
The gear:
Charles Burchill (guitar): Strat, Carlsbro Stingray amp.
Mick McNeil (keyboards): Farfisa Pro 3E, Roland Jupiter, Roland strings. Turner power amp, Mega 3-way cab and Bose speakers.
Derek Forbes (bass): Fretted and fretless Precisions, Peavey 400 series amp and 2x15 cabs.
Brian McGee (drums): Sonor kit. Pearl syncussion.
Paul Colbert
Musicians Only
1st November 1980
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Tour poster for the Peter Gabriel concerts.
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Hammersmith Palais, London, UK
August 26th, 1980
Supporting: The Skids
Support: Pink Military
Several 'warm-up' gigs were planned around London before the band left for Europe. This was changed when
Peter Gabriel offered them his support slot - only the Hammersmith Palais
concert remained from that original plan.
It was also Jaine Henderson's last gig as lighting engineer.
"So many good memories of seeing The Skids back in those late '70's post punk days.
Best was seeing them for the first time in their home town of Dunfermline. I was stunned, much in the same
way as when seeing U2 live for the first time. Both bands of course having unique and electrifying
guitarists, as well as seemingly possessed frontmen that could light up any venue. Sounds easy? Try doing it yourself!
By the time we supported The Skids at the Hammersmith Palais in 1980, you could feel that their
wheels were sadly coming off, coincidentally just as Simple Minds were really starting to
get into gear. I recall Richard was dressed (not unimpressively) like Imran Khan, while
Stuart just wanted to get off stage and on the overnight train back to Scotland.
Nevertheless they were still a force to be reckoned with that night, even if they eventually disbanded
not so long after." - Jim, February 22nd 2017
Many thanks to Dec Hickey for the pictures.
Eriksdalshallen, Stockholm, Sweden
August 30th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
This date is questionable as Eddie Cairns stated they joined the tour in Hamburg.
Scandinavium, Gothenburg, Sweden
August 31st, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
This date is questionable as Eddie Cairns stated they joined the tour in Hamburg.
Audimax, Hamburg, Germany
September 1st, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Main Set: Capital City /
Thirty Frames A Second /
Factory /
Celebrate /
I Travel /
Today I Died Again /
Premonition /
Pleasantly Disturbed
"We then started with the Peter Gabriel Tour and it most certainly didn't start in Sweden,
we joined it in Hamburg, I remember the journey from Harwich very well, as will the ladies and security guard we led astray that
night - madness ruled! The Gabriel Tour was brilliant - the band,
Big D,
Billy and I all in the one minibus - me doing all the driving - great time - I have been
on many tours but this one was special, and the beginning of the end for Brian (and me for that
matter, I was looking after him and Derek in the main and when
Brian left then there was no room for me!)." - Eddie Cairns
Eddie's recollections are confirmed by an
Arista press release which confirmed that
Peter Gabriel's tour started on the 1st September.
Kuppelsaal, Hannover, Germany
September 2nd, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Deutschlandhalle, Berlin, Germany
September 4th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Phillipshalle, Dusseldorf, Germany
September 5th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Musiek Centrum, Utrecht, Holland
September 6th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Vorst Nationaal, Brussels, Belgium
September 7th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Olympia, Paris, France
September 9th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Olympia, Paris, France
September 10th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Olympia, Paris, France
September 11th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Olympia, Paris, France
September 12th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Olympia, Paris, France
September 13th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Palais Des Sport, Nantes, France
September 14th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Stadthalle, Offenbach, Germany
September 15th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Mozartsaal, Mannheim, Germany
September 16th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Deutsches Museum, Munchen, Germany
September 17th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Stadion, Berlin, Germany
September 19th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Alpex Po, Grenoble, France
September 20th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Pavillion De Sports, Geneva, Switzerland
September 21st, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Patinoire, Bordeaux, France
September 24th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Palais Des Sport, Toulouse, France
September 25th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Palais Des Sport, Toulouse, France
September 26th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Parico Casino, Florence, Italy
September 28th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Main Set: Kant-Kino /
Capital City /
Factory /
Premonition /
Thirty Frames A Second /
Pleasantly Disturbed
Palasport, Genoa, Italy
September 29th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Main Set: Kant-Kino /
Capital City /
Factory /
Premonition /
Thirty Frames A Second /
Pleasantly Disturbed
"As happy as we are to be back once again in the proud port city of Genoa, we can never forget out first time back in 1980,
when we opened for Peter Gabriel.
Some nights on the Italian dates of that tour we got 'dog's abuse' from an audience uninterested in a then unknown bunch of youngsters from Glasgow.
Fairly common practice to almost all opening acts back then, I didn't blame them. Adversity makes you stronger in any case." - Jim, 11th July 2018
Palasport, Torino, Italy
September 30th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Main Set:
Capital City /
Factory /
Premonition /
Thirty Frames A Second /
Pleasantly Disturbed
Thanks to Gerd Van Poucke for the set list.
Parc Des Expositions, Avignon, France
October 1st, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Palais Des Sports, Lyon France
October 2nd, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Pavelló Juventut, Badalona, Spain
October 3rd, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
"Cannot be many people who do not, or would not, enjoy a visit to one of Europe's most popular cities. And
how easy it is to visit these days. That was not the case in 1980 when Simple Minds gave their first
performance in Spain on October 3 at Pavelló Olímpic de Badalona, Barcelona - as the opening act for Peter Gabriel.
Our transport then was a Ford Transit type mini-bus, and we had travelled all the way through Europe beginning weeks
earlier in Sweden. I don't remember anyone ever complaining about feeling tired back then, but almost certainly we
were exhausted. Feeling a little ragged, after a six weeks road trip and many concerts, spending so much time cooped
up together night and day, might explain "the band punch up" that occurred around 2 AM - outside a cheap restaurant
on the world famous Ramblas. The fight was already forgotten about by breakfast and we set out afterwards to explore
the city including the Gaudi architecture of course. Unforgettable. Do I miss those days? No. Despite the great fun, there
is little that I miss. But I am glad to have experienced it all. The best years of our lives continue. We travel - still! - Jim, 9th September 2016
Sports Pavilion, Cascais, Portugal
October 6th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Sports Pavilion, Cascais, Portugal
October 7th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
"I could tell
Brian was getting very frustrated and it came to a head when we were heading from Cascais to
Porto for the last gig on the Peter Gabriel Tour. We had stopped at a café for
some lunch and an argument broke out between Brian and
Billy - something about money and Brian let loose at
Billy and gave him a slap or two - I dragged him off and took him to one side where he just
cried - frustration and fatigue - simple as that and I cannot say I am surprised. If anyone put 100%+ into each and every show,
it was Brian - he hits the drums as hard as anyone I know and he put himself through the
ringer a lot during my time with the band!" - Eddie Cairns
Sports Pavilion, Porto, Portugal
October 8th, 1980
Supporting: Peter Gabriel
Grand Theater, Groningen, The Netherlands
October 10th, 1980
This date is questionable as Eddie Cairns stated they immediately returned to the UK.
Paradiso, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
October 11th, 1980
This date is questionable as Eddie Cairns stated they immediately returned to the UK.
St Georges Hall, Bradford, UK
October 16th, 1980
Originally mentioned in the I Travel press release but apparently
rescheduled to the 1st November.
Town Hall, Kidderminster, UK
October 17th, 1980
Support: Music For Pleasure
Tickets cost £1.80.
"I remember that night well although it was nearly 30 years ago. Kidderminster is hardly known as a hot bed
of music, some of the local yobs were at the front and were baiting Charlie for
some reason. After about 25 minutes of the set he had enough, threw down his guitar, jumped off the stage and laid into them
with a volley of punches. The roadies soon sorted it out but that was the end of the gig. Me and mates were some of the few
there that seemed to have any interest in the music anyway, and I remember talking to the soundman after, asking if we
could have a refund as we had travelled 40 miles to be there, didn't get one though!" - Tim
"I do remember that we went straight from the end of Peter Gabriel Tour in Porto back
to London - we didn't go to Holland again after that. They did a session in the Maida Vale Studios because I had to
drive the truck. We then set off on the last tour I did with them througout Britain - starting with Kidderminster - the only time I
have seem
Charlie lose it - completely and utterly. Some guys doing the spitting thing and
I had asked the security to stop them - they had done nothing about it and I had just climbed back up onto the side of
the stage when I turned round and saw Charlie ripping his guitar off and leaping
into the crowd - guess who had to sort it out and take the punches? - from the idiots and the security. I managed to drag
Charlie to the dressing room before being told that the security wanted a part of me
for pushing one of them over - I went out to the hall and they all backed down - arseholes! It certainly was a different start
to the tour though!" - Eddie Cairns
Pavillion, West Runton, UK
Support: Music For Pleasure
October 18th, 1980
Jenkinsons, Brighton, UK
October 19th, 1980
Support: Music For Pleasure
Polytechnic, Sheffield, UK
October 22nd, 1980
Support: Music For Pleasure
Watermeed Civic Centre, Rickmansworth, UK
October 23rd, 1980
Support: Music For Pleasure
"This gig was poorly attended. To my reckoning only about twenty people, although Charlie
seemed to have friends in the area as he was chatting to them in the bar beforehand. A few days later they played a sold out
gig at the Lyceum, London. We felt privileged to have see them in a small crowd The gig was memorable because it was a
brilliant album and I was blown away by the band." - Anthony
Cedar Ballroom, Birmingham, UK
October 24th, 1980
Support: Music For Pleasure
Strand Lyceum, London, UK
October 26th, 1980
Support: Music For Pleasure
Support: Positive Noise
Main Set: Kant-Kino /
Capital City /
Factory /
Thirty Frames A Second /
I Travel /
Constantiople Line /
Premonition /
Today I Died Again /
Celebrate /
This Fear Of Gods /
New Warm Skin /
Changeling /
White Light-White Heat
The band were photographed the next day in Tavistock Square by Virginia Turbett.
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Simple Minds highlighted material from the new album Empires And Dance, an important
step for them fixing their style in persistent bass riffs and distracted vocals. Sadly what evokes a mood on the album jades the ears on stage.
Capital City hovered around an echoed two note bass line – a good start to
Jim Kerr's strained, back in the throat singing.
The hero of the set was keys man Michael McNeil whose string chords and popping synths always poked the
songs along without becoming boring. An erupting sequencer intro was spoiled by guitar tuning problems and the whole set generally smeared by
Charles Burchill's guitar playing. He was too intent on squeezing peculiar noises from his gabble of
effects and the notes often went by the board.
Constantinople had a beautiful open synth riff with halts and hesitations shared by the drums and
Celebration was one of the better numbers again thanks to
McNeil's high-up keyboards.
Paul Colbert
Musicians Only
1st November 1980
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Thanks to Robert Struthers for the review.
Rotters, Liverpool, UK
October 27th, 1980
Support: Music For Pleasure
Support: Positive Noise
Rotters, Manchester, UK
October 28th, 1980
Support: Music For Pleasure
Support: Positive Noise
Main Set: Capital City /
Factory /
Thirty Frames A Second /
I Travel /
Constantiople Line /
Premonition /
Today I Died Again /
Celebrate /
This Fear Of Gods /
New Warm Skin /
Changeling /
White Light-White Heat
University, Keele, UK
October 29th, 1980
Support: Music For Pleasure
Support: Positive Noise
This date is also listed as the Playhouse Nite Club, Edinburgh which is probably incorrect.
It's confirmed by the I Travel press release.
Odeon Theatre, Edinburgh, UK
October 31st, 1980
Support: Music For Pleasure
Support: Positive Noise
Main Set: ... Constantiople Line ... /
... Life In A Day ...
University, Bradford, UK
November 1st, 1980
Support: Music For Pleasure
Support: Positive Noise
Unity Hall, Wakefield, UK
November 2nd, 1980
Support: Music For Pleasure
Support: Positive Noise
City Hall, Glasgow, UK
November 5th, 1980
Support: Music For Pleasure
Support: Positive Noise
"I recall this gig with perfect clarity. So much so that it feels like it was only couple of years or so ago. In fact, it was back in
November 5th 1980. That then makes it a mind boggling 38 years ago. It also makes it hard to believe that all these years later,
we are still travelling round performing. Still caring now, every bit as intensely about Simple Minds and its on going future
through the creation of yet more new music as we did back then. Equally, still besotted by trying to put on the very best live shows
that we can. Our dedicated mission now exactly the same as it was back then in Glasgow 1980."
"We were 21 year olds when we walked out on stage that night. Our pride had swelled just days before, on seeing our hometown
plastered with huge posters advertising our homecoming gig. As for the show? I remember my nervous adrenalin almost peaking as the
opening song's intro - the bass pulse of Capital City - reverberated around the packed
City Hall. Even now I recall the violent sound from McGee's snare drum, bringing the rest
of the band in, somehow daring us to rise to the challenge. It felt more like a call to arms, and it was just that. After all, having
made it to the lofty heights of playing such a prestigious venue, in front of our hometown fans, friends, and family members. We knew
that we had to rise to the occasion and deliver a performance that signified Simple Minds were destined for more. So
much much more."
"And here we are now! Thousands of shows later. Soon to be 60 years old. Sitting in a hotel room in New Orleans, having spent a few
hours on a brand new song the style of which could pleasingly fit on those albums we released in the very early 80's."
"A lifetime has passed, but the cycle seemingly continues. At least for some while yet. I hope!"
"P.S. The highlight from that show? It had to be the reaction from the crazed audience on hearing the sound of the opening sequencer from
I Travel." - Jim, 6th November 2018
Top Rank, Birmingham, UK
December 16th, 1980
Marquee, London, UK
December 17th, 1980
Support: Jerry Floyd
Marquee, London, UK
December 18th, 1980
Support: Jerry Floyd
"Caught them again at the Marquee on December 18th 1980 and beyond the diary noting that night was 'very good' I
apparently clocked 'Gerry Rafferty in (the) pub' (as you do) - without doubt, The Ship, a few doors down from the Marquee." - Dec Hickey
Still going through the Themes book and there are some whoppers in there . The one that tickled me last night was how ‘Love Song’ came about… no doubt Jim had lyrics scribbled down for future use and Charlie may had some guitar thing he was doing.. but ‘Love Song ‘ started in Nomis Studio in London one morning. We were getting in a quick rehearsal before leaving London to play at the Nightclub in Edinburgh. I started playing the bass line and Brian joined in, next Mick came onboard and then wee Bangy started playing that great guitar part… ‘Love Song’ the music.. was born and we played it for the first time that night in Edinburgh.. we had Altered Images supporting us…
- DF 8th March 2022
Edinburgh Nite Club, Edinburgh, UK
December 19th, 1980
Edinburgh Nite Club, Edinburgh, UK
December 20th, 1980
Edinburgh Nite Club, Edinburgh, UK
December 31st, 1980
Edinburgh Nite Club, Edinburgh, UK
January 1st, 1981
Edinburgh Nite Club, Edinburgh, UK
January 2nd, 1981
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