A SUN-soaked Colwyn Bay welcomed Simply Red for a sumptuous showcase of the best blue-eyed soul.
The sun was just beginning to set as the Manchester band’s motorcade sped into Stadiwm Eirias on Sunday, August 14 and Mick Hucknall strolled on stage dressed casually in a black t-shirt with flame design.
The frontman marvelled at the Mediterranean-like sunshine in “Costa Del Colwyn” as he got the show underway with favourites including “She’s Got it Bad” and “Your Mirror”.
Mica Paris had earlier put on an awe-inspiring performance in her role as support act.
Her soulful set, featuring hits “My One Temptation” and “Where is the Love” blended superbly with scorching temperatures, ensuring the crowd were suitably warmed up for the arrival of the headliners.
Introducing “A New Flame”, as a single recorded in 1988, Mick commented how this was probably before many of the crowd had been born , before lifting his sunglasses, glancing out over the largely older audience members, and cheekily remarking “maybe not”.
Huge hits followed including “Holding Back The Years”, “Sunrise” and “Ain’t That a Lot of Love” landed perfectly with the audience before the singer, after quickly examining the now cloudy skies over Eirias Stadium, launched into the group’s anthem, “Stars”.
The group followed “It’s Only Love” with “Night Nurse” before getting people dancing energetically along to “Fake”, “Something Got Me Started” and the fabulous “Fairground”.
The encore saw the band take us back to where it all started while also bringing us bang up to date with the current cost of living crisis, with “Money's Too Tight To Mention”, a matter not lost on the lead singer.
READ MORE:
REVIEW: Dreamgirls is 'simply spellbinding' at Llandudno's Venue Cymru
Mick Hucknall invited the crowd, in the finest Welsh tradition, to sing along with the final song of the night, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”.
The performer, whose voice proved formidable throughout this show, thanked the crowd one more time, and urged them to remain healthy and to “get wealthy” before bringing to an end what will be warmly remembered as one of the best concerts to have taken place at the North Wales venue.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here