Simply Red in London: timings, set list, last-minute tickets, reviews and everything you need to know

Pop soul titans Simply Red are in London this week as part of the group’s 40th anniversary tour. Mick Hucknall will be rolling out hits like ‘Stars’, ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’ and ‘Holding Back the Years’ over three shows in the capital.

Hucknall might be the only member of Simply Red who’s actually made it through all 40 years, but there’s still much to celebrate. The Manchester-born band is a UK pop institution, with five UK number one albums and 60 million records sold worldwide.

Heading to the O2 or Wembley Arena to catch Simply Red this week? Here’s what you need to know about the shows.

When are Simply Red playing London?

Mick Hucknall and co are in the capital for three nights this week, on Thursday October 9, Friday October 10 and Saturday October 11. Here are the details:

• Thursday October 9 – O2 Arena
• Friday October 10 – O2 Arena
• Saturday October 11 – Wembley Arena

What time do doors open?

For all shows, doors to the arena will open at 6pm. However, on Thursday and Friday the O2’s bars and restaurants will all open earlier.

When will Simply Red come on stage?

The main act is set to take to the stage at 9pm.

Who is supporting Simply Red at the O2?

The gigs’ ‘special guests’ are British musical collective Soul II Soul, who’ll come on stage at 7.45pm.

Last-minute tickets

At time of writing, tickets are available on AXS here and Ticketmaster here

On resale sites, Viagogo and Stubhub have options starting from around £100.

Setlist

Here is a recent setlist from a Simply Red 40th anniversary tour stop in Leeds last week (according to Setlist.fm).

1. Sad Old Red
2. Jericho
3. Money’s Too Tight (To Mention) (The Valentine Brothers cover)
4. The Right Thing
5. A New Flame
6. It’s Only Love Doing Its Thing (Barry White cover)
7. You’ve Got It
8. Enough
9. If You Don’t Know Me by Now (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes cover)
10. For Your Babies
11. Stars
12. Thrill Me
13. So Beautiful
14. Say You Love Me
15. The Air That I Breathe (Albert Hammond cover)
16. You Make Me Feel Brand New (The Stylistics cover)
17. Fake
18. Sunrise
19. Fairground
20. Something Got Me Started
21. Reach Out I’ll Be There (Four Tops cover)
22. Holding Back the Years

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