Simple Minds in Cologne

Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977. Their music spans new wave, synth-pop and arena rock, and they are known for the albums New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) and Once Upon a Time, as well as the songs “Don't You (Forget About Me),” “Alive and Kicking” and “Belfast Child.” Simple Minds played the Philadelphia leg of Live Aid at John F. Kennedy Stadium in 1985, then took the Once Upon a Time Tour into arenas through 1986. In 1988 they performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute at Wembley Stadium, and decades later revisited their catalogue on the 40 Years of Hits Tour.

Level 42 are a British band formed on the Isle of Wight in 1979, known for bass-led jazz-funk and polished pop-rock. Mark King’s slap-bass playing and vocals, paired with Mike Lindup’s keyboards and vocals, became central to records including World Machine and Running in the Family. Their best-known songs include “Lessons in Love,” “Something About You,” “Running in the Family” and “Love Games.” The Running in the Family Tour took the band into arenas after the album’s 1987 release. The following year they performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute at Wembley Stadium. After reconvening in 2001, Level 42 resumed sustained touring and later mounted the Retroglide Tour and the Sirens Tour. British and Dutch dates have accounted for much of Level 42’s later live work. The band has performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall and Amsterdam’s Paradiso.