Live Review: Simply Red

Turns out Simply Red's 'farewell' tour five years ago was not goodbye forever, just goodbye for now. Returning to the stage to celebrate their 30th anniversary, Mick Hucknall and his hit-making band entertained their diehard fans on the Sydney Opera House steps as part of the Big Love comeback tour.

Rightfully so, the 90-minute set list was very much a greatest hits showcase featuring all the beloved and soulful classics from the past 30 years. Everything from The Right Thing to Fairground, plus infamous covers of Money's Too Tight (To Mention) and If You Don't Know Me By Now made an appearance. It was adorable to watch the throng of fans, young and old, reliving and enjoying these timeless tunes together after so many years.

Hucknall proved he's still got the voice, the red curls, the gyrating moves and the energy to thrill his seated but often upstanding audience. The 55-year-old Mancunian singer may not have sung every single lyric, but when he did he certainly hit the notes and performed each with genuine fervour — as did the exceptionally talented band members. Unfortunately though, the Opera House's sound desk didn't allow Hucknall's smooth, distinctive vocals to be as audible as we would have liked. This meant the hopeless karaoke voices echoing around us in the crowd often overthrew the professional's.

For the stripped-down acoustic version of Holding Back The Years however, we heard him loud and clear. We also got an endearing insight to a 17-year-old Mick singing and playing guitar at his father's house, where he first penned this sublime song.

Apart from the bright red lighting (how fitting!), Simply Red's stage production was very… simple. However, being held on the Forecourt of the Sydney Opera House, the audience were compensated by and treated to the stunning site of the harbour at sundown. Hucknall felt very privileged and impressed by his view too, deciding to take a panoramic shot on his cellphone at the end of the concert.

We would barely be surprised if Simply Red returned to our shores again. Or sad about it for that matter.