Simple Minds & The B-52s

On February 14 (Valentine’s Day) 1977 five aspiring musicians from Athens, Georgia played their very first gig at a friend’s house.

Naming themselves after Southern slang for exaggerated ‘bouffant” hairdos, the newly-christened B-52s (Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland, Cindy Wilson and Ricky Wilson) soon began weekend road trips to New York City for gigs at CBGB's. Their first single, the garage rock party classic "Rock Lobster," received instant attention from the pop world and tapped into a growing audience for new music that was much larger than anyone could have anticipated.

The rest, as they say, is history! 

40 years, 20 million albums and countless classic songs later, the B-52s are acclaimed as one of the most unique, influential and much-loved artists of the post-punk period.

The fabulous B-52s are set to celebrate their 40^th anniversary in Australasia as part of their upcoming tour with Simple Minds.  The landmark concert happens at Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand on Tuesday February 14, Valentine’s Day.

The B-52s’ Fred Schneider says: “From Athens to Auckland, 40 years and the party ain’t stopping!”,

To mark the occasion, Simple Minds and the B-52s have agreed that the Georgia natives will close the show in Auckland.  In a change from previously advertised times, Simple Minds will be on stage at 7.30pm with the B-52s at 9.30pm, both bands playing their usual full sets. 

Jim Kerr says "Bringing our music to Auckland always feels special. More so this time when we join the B-52s as they themselves celebrate their own special anniversary. We very much look forward to playing our part in what is set to a very memorable evening for fans of both bands, and fans of great live music in general."

It’s the B-52s first visit to New Zealand in seven years and with a 40^th birthday to celebrate, it’s going to be a night to remember!   

Both the B-52s and Simple Minds have enjoyed stellar careers in Australia and New Zealand and are ecstatic to be heading back.  The Australasian tour kicks off with a day on the green in Perth’s Kings Park on February 2, with ticket sales for most shows close to capacity.

Don’t miss one of summer’s more captivating tours, the majestic Simple Minds and the party vibes of the B-52s!  Final tickets are on sale now.

In one of the upcoming summer’s more captivating tours, Frontier Touring are thrilled to announce that the majestic Simple Minds will team with the party vibes of The B-52’s for a huge Australian and New Zealand tour in February 2017.

Both bands, who are much-loved by Australian and New Zealand fans, will play indoor concerts at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena, Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, Auckland’s Vector Arena and Christchurch’s Horncastle Arena as well as roaming Australia on a day on the green outdoor show dates nationally.

Scotland’s Simple Minds and Athens, Georgia natives The B-52s may be from opposite sides of the globe, but what they have in common is that elusive combination of critical acclaim, cult status and mainstream success, including in Australia. 

Australia was the first country in the world to embrace Simple Minds, giving the band its first ever hit single ‘Love Song’ and first Gold album New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84). The love affair has continued ever since through countless chart-toppers like ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’, ‘Alive and Kicking’, ‘Promised You A Miracle’, ‘Glittering Prize’ and ‘Waterfront’ spanning eight Top 20 albums and hugely successful concert tours.    

Their 16th album Big Music, released 18 months ago, rekindled the band’s energy and attitude and won rave reviews:

‘Their best album in 30 years.’ - Mojo ★★★★

‘Simple Minds at their ideal fighting weight.’ - Q Magazine ★★★★

‘Big Music is the genuine article: a remarkable record that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any of Simple Minds' first five albums.’ - Record Collector ★★★★

‘One of the world’s great live bands’ - BBC

After touring Big Music extensively, and buoyed by the record’s success, Simple Minds are currently working on a new album. They will be back on the road in 2017 with Australia one of their first ports of call, having not toured here in four years.  Throughout their lengthy career, the band has retained its enviable reputation as one of THE great live concert bands.

Frontman Jim Kerr said:

“It’s been said Simple Minds has a love affair with Australia and I think that’s true.  It was the first country anywhere in the world to give us success and from our very first tours, we’ve always had a wonderful bond with Australian audiences.   We have so many fantastic memories and can’t wait to be playing there again.”   

When The B-52’s – Fred Schneider, Cindy Wilson, Kate Pierson and Keith Strickland - toured Australia for a day on the green and indoor shows in 2009, the response was over-the-top! Irreverent and hugely entertaining, the band’s cosmic appeal was irresistible.  

‘Who else offers helium-voiced go-go girls, a camp, barking (in every sense) frontman and sprawling sci-fi new wave?   Yes, they look and often sound fantastic, with steely surf guitar riding waves of propulsive rhythms to the Love Shack and back.’ – Sydney Morning Herald

‘With their big wigs, wacky tunes and goofball dance moves -- all of which sit comfortably within the band's friendly brand of psychedelia -- their credentials as dance-floor favourites are impressive.’ – The Australian

‘There are all the wonderful riffs and melodies which made the B-52s so danceable, so irreverent and so addictive.’ – Your Brisbane

The B-52’s put Athens, Georgia on the musical map with their quirky and unconventional take on the new wave sound of the era.  Their irrepressible live shows and massive hits like ‘Rock Lobster’, ‘Private Idaho’, ‘Roam’ and the barnstorming ‘Love Shack’, which notched up eight weeks at #1 on the Australian charts, have endeared them to audiences worldwide.  

In January 2013 Keith Strickland announced that he had made a decision to stop touring with the band saying: “I will continue to be in The B-52s - I will just not tour. My barnstorming days have come to an end, but I wholeheartedly support Cindy, Fred and Kate's decision to continue.”  

The B-52’s said:

“It has been seven years since we have toured Australia and we are just thrilled to be returning!  Yes - we’ll be coming back to ‘wonder down under’ on an amazing tour with Simple Minds. Come party with us!”