six years before i moved to sydney, a few k's down the way from this venue simple minds played there, this very gig. in this early incarnation simple minds were unstoppable, a phenomenal mix of musicians, and a rhythm section that basically couldn't ever be surpassed. i've seen simple minds many times but never in their original form with derek forbes on bass. new gold dream had just come out and there was no looking back. from this moment simple minds would fill stadiums and nothing could ever be the same. 

i certainty do not begrudge them success but the band that played stadiums were a different band to the one that started out. i like both but my heart is in those formative years when it really was a new gold dream.