TRIBFEST, DRIFFIELD, SOUTH YORKSHIRE, UK 17/08/08

Coming off stage in Beckum, Germany the night before - and then getting to South Yorkshire in the UK was always going to be logistically challenging, though a brick thrown through the train window in transit to Dortmund Airport was something not factored into the travel time! With only 5 minutes to spare the band made the only connecting flight of the day and arrived in the UK at approx 8am. Following the long drive ‘up North’, they finally arrived at the Driffield Showground where Tribfest 08 was in full swing.

What a tremendous event! With some of the World’s leading tribute acts the band felt really privileged to be involved.

“It was quite surreal rubbing shoulders backstage with Mick Jagger, Phil Collins, Bryan Ferry and quite strangely Johnny Depp in ‘Captain Jack Sparrow’ mode!” said frontman Steve. “The calibre of the acts was simply awesome and it was with some trepidation that we took to the stage.”

The set was:

1. WATERFRONT
2. LOVE SONG
3. SOMEONE SOMEWHERE IN SUMMERTIME
4. DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME
5. GHOSTDANCING / GLORIA
6. BELFAST CHILD
7. ALIVE AND KICKING
8. NEW GOLD DREAM / MEDLEY (featuring Bono!)

Steve should not have worried. From the opening bars of ‘Waterfront’ to the finale of ‘New Gold Dream’ the crowd showed a great reaction – even continuing to support the band through a brief down pour (the only one of the day – typical!)

The finale was something special. For Simple Minds fans, one of the most iconic live moments came from when Bono dueted with the band in Glasgow 1985. At Tribfest the moment was recreated featuring the amazing Andy Bagnell (Bono) from ‘Achtung Baby’ – arguable one of the best U2 tributes in the world! Blasting through the classics ‘Take Me to The River’ and ‘Light My Fire’ this could have been one of the festival highlights.

The band would like to say a HUGE thank you to Ed Faulkner for organising such a spectacular event, the stage crew - who without doubt were the FINEST the band have EVER worked with in the UK, the support staff, the caterers – especially the Indian trailer, Alicia for sorting out the camper van (and a tent to isolate Simon’s snoring!) and finally all the bands on the bill – it was a genuine privilege for the guys to share the stage with such talent.

Did the band have a favourite act ?

“All the bands were simply amazing,” commented keyboard player Simon. ‘Badness’ deservedly headlined the night with a show stopping performance (if you looked closely you might have spotted Steve and I on stage with them!). However, we have to say that we loved ‘Achtung Baby’ – what a gig and what a great bunch of guys (band and crew) – we made lots of notes! And as for Andy, well – thank you for making our dreams come true.”