Fantastic vocals that got better with Time – Simply Red review

While perhaps not an intimate venue, with a capacity of just 2000, it is certainly a small choice for British soul pop sensation Simply Red’s only 2023 UK performance. It’s definitely not the stadium event I was expecting for the launch of their 13th studio album Time.

This solitary show felt more like a surprise warm up gig ahead of Mick and the boys making a quick jaunt to Dubai before heading off to spend summer in mainland Europe on the festival trail.

For its part, the Shepherd’s Bush Empire delivers a brilliant atmosphere. It’s a Monday evening and the sun is just setting over West London.

The show is sold out and the stalls are filled with an excited and eclectic crowd; a real mixed bag in terms of age. Testament to Simply Red’s 40year ability to stay present. The suspense begins to build. Will Mick Hucknall’s voice have stood the test of Time?

Just before 9, the band flood onto the stage and are met with enraptured cheers from the crowd. Now we wait for Mick. As soon as the crowd erupts with whistles, screaming and clapping, it’s obvious that Mick has arrived.

Hucknall is not Simply Red’s front man; he is Simply Red. And like most of us, Mick is not holding back the years, but it’s obvious from the very first line of Better With You that his voice is. His presence is completely effortless. Ever still the blue eyed, fiery haired voice of soul.

Mick’s warm Mancunian accent welcomes everyone to the show and suddenly the venue seems even smaller like you could be sat across from him in a pub.

Thrill Me and Fake are the appetisers that follow and they do not disappoint. Mick is unbelievably nimble and whips the microphone lead around the stage agilely against a backdrop of soft, smoky pinks and blues and red. A real class act.

Hucknall might be in his 60s but stepping on stage is like a time machine transporting us back to the 80s; queue You’ve Got It and the audience are mesmerised, swaying in harmony.

But it is of course Stars which the crowd goes absolutely nuts for, all arms are in the sky for this one. Mick’s vocals are fantastic and the song is arguably one of the best soul songs of all time. After this the audience needs no encouragement to get moving. Ian Kirkham’s saxophone solos assist in making sure of this.

While this is meant to be an album launch show and a selection of tracks from Time are showcased in all their glory (notably Just For You, a great song), Simply Red do not deny the crowd of a time travel pitstop with Money’s Too Tight to Mention, Night Nurse, and Come to My Aid.

I felt a bit disappointed when the iconic Fairground, Holding Back the Years and If You Don’t Know Me by Now didn’t make it into the setlist but all was forgiven when Mick and co delivered an excellent performance of Sunrise to kick start the encore for an ever-hungry crowd.

Simply Red finished with Nutbush City Limits, a very sweet ode to the late musical legend Tina Turner, which made for a lovely and charming finish to a great show. I would rush back to see Simply Red live in a heartbeat.

Hopefully a stadium tour next year Mick?