Mick Hucknall let his voice do the talking as he took to the stage at Birmingham’s LG Arena.

The Simply Red frontman didn’t falter during a one hour and 50 minutes set which spanned songs old and new from the group’s 25-year career. Starting off with It’s Only Love, the Mancunian effortlessly belted out track after track, also covering The Stylistics, You Make Me Feel Brand New, The Hollies and The Moody Blues.

With just his band and backing singers, he showed the audience that it is the simple music and lyrics that have propelled the band to stardom.

There were no gimmicks or showpieces needed to keep the fans of all ages on their feet. The band were faultless and perform together with an ease and relaxation which is testament to their time together and Mick Hucknall’s unmistakable voice sounds better live than recorded.

He finished off with Fairground before not one, but two, encores, leaving his massive hits Stars and Money Too Tight To Mention and Something Got Me Started till last before bowing out to a rapturous applause with the classic hit If You Don’t Know Me By Now.

By Lisa Wright.

Picture courtesy of Jason Sheldon.