"I'll let you in on a secret of mine. As much as I love touring, and I really do. And as much as I feel the excitement as every new tour begins. I really rarely enjoy the first nights of any concert tour. Don’t get me wrong please; last night in Lisbon made me a happy guy both afterwards and during the show. However, there is just something about first nights that make it difficult to relax in the way that I feel it takes to put over an inspired set. I guess it is because with everything becoming so new again for the band, the tech crew, the lighting etc. The effect of that causes everyone involved to be thinking just a little too intensely throughout."

"And so what is wrong with that you may be asking? Well, in my opinion music – or in fact anything - always works much better when it is done as though it is flowing of its own accord and seemingly without thought. In our case, that kind of performance usually happens after a few shows, when everyone is that bit more familiar with the new set and although still excited, much more at ease with the challenge."

"And this 5x5 tour is a challenge make no doubt. Not many are out there touring - without playing their mega hits. Not many are out there playing anywhere between 2:15 and 2:30 hours, as we will be during this tour. Likewise, not many find that they are still as passionate now about playing live music as they were when they were kids – but we are, and very much so. Then again and in putting things in perspective, not everyone has had the great level of support and enthusiasm that has been given to Simple Minds at various stages of our career and for this we show our appreciation and thank our lucky stars."

"And so with that, I say thanks to all who gave us good times in Lisbon - but especially those who came to the concert and made us feel so a wee bit special. It was a fine start to a tour, that is for sure."

"Okay, Madrid next!" - Jim, simpleminds.com, 15th February 2012

"Thanks to all for the last few pleasurable days In Lisbon. It was a fine start to the tour and we appreciate all who came to support us and indeed show their love for our "early music" - which as everyone even remotely interested should know by this stage - is what this tour is all about. Bonus for us was the little sightseeing we made yesterday morning - among others it was a thrill to visit the old Stadio Nacional which is a "holy place" to all supporters of Celtic Football Club. Even bigger thrill to get on to the grass and have a kick about! Celtic fans might also like to know that the great Jorge Cadete and his girl came to say hello. The sun was shining and all in all we had a ball in Lisbon!" - Jim, FaceBook, 15th February 2012

Riviera, Madrid, Spain
15th February, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / Life In A Day / Today I Died Again / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Hunter And The Hunted / Wasteland / This Fear Of Gods / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed / Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / Calling Your Name / Sons And Fascination / Sweat In Bullet / Changeling / Factory / Premonition / Scar / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Glittering Prize / Someone / Chelsea Girl / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Photographs: David Guerrero - Rockphoto.ES ©2012

Razzamatazz, Barcelona, Spain
16th February, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Celebrate / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Wasteland / This Fear Of Gods / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed / Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / Calling Your Name / Sons And Fascination / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Changeling / Factory / Premonition / Scar / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Chelsea Girl / Someone / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands
18th February, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Today I Died Again / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Wasteland / This Fear Of Gods / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed / Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Sons And Fascination / Calling Your Name / Changeling / Factory / Premonition / Scar / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Celebrate / Glittering Prize / Someone / Chelsea Girl / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Many thanks to Jan Mak and Rob for the photos, Otto for the set-list and Paul for the ticket scan.

Admiralspalast, Berlin, Germany
19th February, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Today I Died Again / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Premonition / Wasteland / This Fear Of Gods / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed / Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Sons And Fascination / Calling Your Name / Changeling / Factory / Scar / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / King Is White And In The Crowd / Someone / Chelsea Girl / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Many thanks to Matthias for the photos.

Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark
20th February, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Today I Died Again / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Premonition / Wasteland / This Fear Of Gods / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed / Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Sons And Fascination / Calling Your Name / Changeling / Factory / Scar / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Celebrate / Someone / Chelsea Girl / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Many thanks to Kristin for the photos.

Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Norway
21st February, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Today I Died Again / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Premonition / Wasteland / This Fear Of Gods / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Sweat In Bullet / Calling Your Name / Changeling / Factory / Scar / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Celebrate / Someone / Chelsea Girl / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

"Oslo is done and dusted and with it we say goodbye to 7 gigs in 8 days - travelling all the way from the southern tip of Europe to the very north - all of them memorable too. Tonight I am knackered - but I am happy - and I definitely wont be tired come Thursday and the Cirque Royale in Bruxelles. Thanks to everybody who has come so far." - Jim Kerr

Cirque Royal, Brussels, Belgium
23rd February, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Today I Died Again / Celebrate / Scar / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Premonition / Wasteland / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed
Main Set Part #2: The American / In Trance As Mission / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Calling Your Name / Changeling / Factory / This Fear Of Gods / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Someone / Chelsea Girl / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Many thanks to JohnnyBGood for the photos and Martin for the set-list.

Academy, Birmingham, UK
24th February, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Today I Died Again / Celebrate / Scar / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Premonition / Wasteland / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed / Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / In Trance As Mission / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Calling Your Name / Changeling / Factory / This Fear Of Gods / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Someone / Chelsea Girl / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

"Thanks for giving us great nights in Bruxelles and Birmingham - really magic. I have been looking and listening to some recordings of the 5x5 shows and they are pretty much everything we had hoped for. Still room for improvements though - I think we will hit a nice peak by time we arrive at the Roundhouse in London - where we plan on doing some recording and filming of the set. Meanwhile tonight in Barrowland - if any venue could be termed our spiritual home it is the Barrowland. I expect an emotional high. Can't wait!" - Jim, Facebook

Many thanks to Claudia for the pictures.

Barrowland, Glasgow, UK
25th February, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Today I Died Again / Celebrate / Scar / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Premonition / Wasteland / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed / Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / In Trance As Mission / Sweat In Bullet / Calling Your Name / Changeling / Factory / This Fear Of Gods / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Someone / Chelsea Girl / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Many thanks to www.fishbonesphotography.com for the photos and Jose for the set-list.

Simple Minds' forthcoming appearance at T In The Park was lyrically announced during Someone Somewhere (In Summertime).

"The venue was as good as ever - likewise the audience - overwhelming - made us feel so good. Little wonder bands from all over the world enjoy playing there. Nice to know that old time friends and family were there with us. Missed seeing my mother's smiling face, but felt the presence anywhere. Paris next!" - Jim, Facebook

Casino De Paris, France
27th February, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Today I Died Again / Celebrate / Scar / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Premonition / Wasteland / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed / Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / In Trance As Mission / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Calling Your Name / Changeling / Factory / This Fear Of Gods / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Someone / Chelsea Girl / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Many thanks to Marc and Marc Neirinck for the photographs.

"It was Paris in springtime. (Well, almost.) And all was going even better than we had hoped for inside the charming venue that we had looked forward to playing so much. "

"The sold-out audience seemed intent on having more than a good time and although only 4 songs into the set, I could already tell that the band would be improving yet again on the previous night’s show. I guess that is just a sense you develop among other things through years and years of touring."

"Anyway, it was right then that it happened, it hurt like hell and it still does more than 36 hours later. What was it that happened? Well, rather embarrassingly I am talking about the hamstring muscle that I might have torn in a moment of far too much exuberance, all caused while careering around the stage at the Casino de Paris."

"But y’know maybe it is not all bad news. After all a hamstring injury is something common to professional footballers, and in my still childish dreams I still envisage being one of those at some point. (I know I may be nearly 53 but in my dreams I am still in my early 20’s) But of course, reality is something different and for me that is where the appealing football comparison had to end. Because although the reaction was painfully bringing a little tear to my eye, there would be no glancing over at the substitute bench and asking for someone to replace me in my moment of great need. No chance of that! In fact we still had another two hours to play before I could consider soaking in hot baths or strapping ice cubes to the tender part. Being so I knew that I had a very long night in front of me."

"In the end it was just another unforeseen incident, not one I would have wished for, but touring comes loaded with moments like this. And guess what? You just have to get on with it. Back in ’82 while touring America with New Gold Dream we even continued playing shows the night after I had broken my nose. Not the best vocal sound as you can imagine – but we had no insurance and needed the money so the gigs had to go on. More than that we would have hated cancelling for any reason and in doing so letting people down."

"I also learned something very useful and interesting back then, something I knew would see me through the rest of the set in Paris. Fact is, natural adrenalin is a wonderful painkiller and thankfully there was no lack of adrenalin during the set on Monday night."

"We live and fight another day!" - Jim, www.simpleminds.com

Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
28th February, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Today I Died Again / Celebrate / Scar / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Premonition / Wasteland / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed / Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / In Trance As Mission / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Calling Your Name / Changeling / Factory / This Fear Of Gods / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Someone / Chelsea Girl / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Many thanks to Francesco for the photographs.

"Shame on me! Over a week has passed and I have still not mentioned the concert in Milan. Well, for the record it was a great pleasure and as always played out to a perfect audience. Italy always feels special to Simple Minds, also feels like a kind of home in many ways to both Charlie and myself. Thanks to all who came" - Jim, Facebook

"Blink and it's almost gone. Only two more Euro shows to go - Milan tonight and Zurich tomorrow - before we head back to UK and then Ireland where we will wrap up the 5x5 tour. A lot of people saying positive things re the shows, we appreciate it but credit also to our crew/management who have performed as well as anyone on stage. Simon Hayward has done a lot of behind the scene work on our behalf over the last months, was great to see him in Glasgow." - Jim, Facebook

Komplex 457, Zurich, Switzerland
29th February, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Today I Died Again / Celebrate / Scar / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Premonition / Wasteland / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed / Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / In Trance As Mission / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Calling Your Name / Changeling / Factory / This Fear Of Gods / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Someone / Chelsea Girl / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Roundhouse, London, UK
2nd March, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Today I Died Again / Calling Your Name / Scar / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Premonition / Wasteland / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed / Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / In Trance As Mission / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Celebrate / Changeling / Factory / This Fear Of Gods / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Someone / Chelsea Girl / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Many thanks to Johnnieboy, Paola Marocco and Graeme for the photos and Paola Marocco for the set-list.

Ritz, Manchester, UK
3rd March, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Today I Died Again / Calling Your Name / Scar / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Premonition / Wasteland / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed / Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / In Trance As Mission / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Celebrate / Changeling / Factory / This Fear Of Gods / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Someone / Chelsea Girl / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Many thanks to Gary Stafford and Claudia for the pictures and to Clive for the set-list.

Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
4th March, 2012
Main Set Part #1: I Travel / 30 Frames A Second / Today I Died Again / Calling Your Name / Scar / Life In A Day / Hunter And The Hunted / Premonition / Wasteland / Love Song / Pleasantly Disturbed / Room
Main Set Part #2: The American / In Trance As Mission / 70 Cities As Love Brings The Fall / Celebrate / Changeling / Factory / This Fear Of Gods / Promised You A Miracle / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
Encore: Theme For Great Cities / Someone / Chelsea Girl / Glittering Prize / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)

Many thanks to Lionello for the photographs and set-list.

"In the end it all passed in a blink of an eye. And all of which is probably understandable, given the way we were traipsing round Europe, criss crossing from east to west and sprinting up and down from south to north and then more often than not - straight back again. In fact, been so dizzying these last weeks, it is more than little wonder that we never crossed paths with versions of ourselves, wandering like ghosts as we did, moving on a daily basis from city to city."

"The very image of that leads me to ponder on what the young version of myself, the version that co-wrote all of those songs featured in the 5x5 tour, would have thought could he have glimpsed into the future and observed what we have been getting up to within the recently completed concert tour. Of course I have no idea, but if he evenly remotely felt as positive about it all as many of us have, then I am sure he would have been a happy young fellow."

"Cannot say thanks enough to our crew, management, and agent, for making it happen. Similarly, great compliments should go to our PR, the coverage has been extensive and somewhat relentlessly positive. (That helps!) More than all of this though, it is our gratitude to all who came to support us that I want to convey. And so to all who made it to the shows, investing not only their money, but also their belief in the continuation of Simple Minds. It is a big and heartfelt thanks that we send to you. You deserve it!" - Jim, Official Website, 6th March 2012

"I smiled when someone referred to the recent Simple Minds tour as the "Already Legendary 5x5 Tour". Surely a dollop of irony was being used, especially considering that the tour had only finished one day’s prior. But no, it was a serious comment from a knowledgeable person, summing up how he felt in hindsight about the tour. Similarly experienced others – who go back a long way with Simple Minds - have coincidentally made comments that correspond, apparently convinced that the 5x5 tour was as good as any tour in Simple Minds' history. Hence their "already legendary" tag!"

"We are delighted that the tour seemingly lived up to the considerable advance expectation. Truth is though, when it comes to opinions on which is best and how and why, I am hardly in the position to judge through being too near the centre to have a complete overview. That does not mean that I don’t have an opinion however, it just means that my opinion is skewed."

"The Street Fighting Years tour, documented so well in the Verona concert footage, always seemed like a particular live achievement to me. In many ways that tour was the peak of what we had worked towards throughout the previous decade. Therefore, if pushed to decide I would have more often than not said that Street Fighting Years was probably the best Simple Minds tour to date."

"Until that is, you might remind me of Live In The City Of Light. In that case I would most likely say that the Once Upon A Time tour featuring Robin Clark and John Giblin could easily state a claim to being our best. I am sure you can see a pattern here, for if I were to listen to a recording of some of the Sons and Fascination era live recordings, featuring Derek Forbes and Mick MacNeil, undoubtedly there would be elements within it that I would pick up on forcing me to be convinced that Simple Minds never sounded as good before or since. All of this being the case, what I am saying is that I could never choose definitively which was superior."

"More to the point perhaps, I am not even sure how you can credibly compare tours that feature not only mostly different line–up’s of musicians, but also such completely different set–lists. Other differences? Well, Street Fighting Years / Once Upon A Time were mostly arenas and open-airs gigs, whereas the recent tour had us purposely playing in clubs. Some people love the big spectaculars; others prefer the intimacy of being up close. I like both equally."

"What I can say with some conviction is that the 5x5 tour was perhaps the most enjoyable tour for the longest time. Apart from the fact that the band played out of their skins, there was a fabulous freshness and a renewed determination within everybody associated with the tour."

"And with plenty of smiles through out, it was a real pleasure to be a part of it." - Jim, Official Website, 14th March 2012