Simply Red

Who are Simply Red?

Simply Red are a British soul and pop band formed in Manchester in 1985 by Mick Hucknall, the singer who has been the band's one constant member ever since. They have sold over 50 million albums and have five UK No.1 albums, one UK No.1 single in "Fairground" and 10 UK Top 10 singles. In August 2027 they play 11 UK shows on the Summer Funk '27 tour.

What are Simply Red doing in 2027?

Simply Red spend summer 2027 on the Summer Funk '27 tour, announced on 17 September 2026 as the band's first tour since their 40th anniversary tour in 2025. It opens with 27 European shows from 16 June to 30 July 2027, starting in Lisbon, then 11 UK shows at 9 venues in August. Chester Racecourse on Saturday 7 August is the first UK date, and Taunton closes the whole tour on Sunday 22 August.

The UK run includes three nights at The Piece Hall in Halifax and two racecourse nights, at Chester and at Newmarket, where the band play after the racing on 21 August. Heather Small, Soul II Soul and Lisa Stansfield are named as support on different UK dates, and two nights, Gunnersbury Park in London and Dreamland Margate, have already sold out. Every date is set out in Are Simply Red touring in 2027?.

The newest release comes from the last tour. A live cover of "Reach Out I'll Be There", filmed on the 2025 run, came out on 24 September 2026. That 40th anniversary tour, which Chester Racecourse's announcement says covered almost 50 venues, is documented on "Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago", filmed at the Movistar Arena in Santiago. The same year brought Recollections, 40 new recordings of classic Simply Red songs.

What are Simply Red's biggest songs?

"Fairground" is Simply Red's only UK No.1 single: it spent four weeks at the top in 1995. "Holding Back the Years", on its 1986 re-release, and "If You Don't Know Me by Now" both peaked at No.2 in the UK. Across their career the band have had 10 UK Top 10 singles, and in the United States they have had two No.1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

The other hits fans know them by include "Money's Too Tight to Mention", which reached No.13 in 1985, "Something Got Me Started" (No.11, 1991), "Stars" (No.8, 1991) and "For Your Babies" (No.9, 1992).

Which Simply Red albums reached number one?

Simply Red have five UK No.1 albums: A New Flame, Stars, Life, Greatest Hits and Blue (Greatest Hits is a compilation). Stars, released on 30 September 1991, is the biggest: it spent 12 weeks at No.1, is certified 12x Platinum and was the UK's best-selling album of both 1991 and 1992. All 13 of their studio albums of new songs, from Picture Book (1985) to Time (2023), reached the UK Top 10.

In all, 15 Simply Red albums have made the UK Top 10.

What awards have Simply Red won?

Simply Red's tour announcement credits them with three BRIT Awards: British Group in 1992 and 1993, plus Mick Hucknall's British Male award in 1993, the year the band won British Group for the second year running. Simply Red also hold two Ivor Novello Awards, for Songwriter of the Year and for Outstanding Song Collection, and have received three Grammy nominations.

Who is in Simply Red now?

The Summer Funk '27 line-up is Mick Hucknall with Ian Kirkham, Kenji Suzuki, Kevin Robinson, Roman Roth, Gary Sanctuary and Orefo Orakwue, seven musicians in all. Hucknall founded the band in 1985 and is the only member who has been there throughout.

How did Simply Red start?

Mick Hucknall formed Simply Red in Manchester in 1985, and the band's first studio album, Picture Book, came out the same year. The name comes from his nickname "Red", given for his red hair: he felt "Red" did not sound right on its own and added "Simply". Simply Red split in 2010 and reformed in 2015.

These are Simply Red's 11 UK nights in 2027, with the premium options each venue has published for its date. The Simply Red Tour 2027 hospitality page compares them side by side.

• Saturday 7 August 2027, Chester Racecourse: the first UK date, a concert with no racing that day. All three packages, Bronze, Silver and Gold, include Golden Circle access and dining, and Silver and Gold add pre-allocated seating.
• Monday 9, Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 August 2027, The Piece Hall, Halifax: the venue lists Balcony and Live at Lounge tickets for all three nights.
• Friday 13 August 2027, Gunnersbury Park, London: sold out, with a waiting list.
• Saturday 14 August 2027, Dreamland Margate (Scenic Stage): sold out.
• Tuesday 17 August 2027, Scarborough Open Air Theatre: seated and standing tickets. The venue says its Rooftop VIP Bar will be available on summer 2027 shows, though it has not named this night.
• Wednesday 18 August 2027, Castle Park, Colchester: VIP for this date is sold out.
• Friday 20 August 2027, Singleton Park, Swansea: the band's only Welsh show of 2027.
• Saturday 21 August 2027, Newmarket Racecourse, July Course: racing first, then the concert, on one ticket. The Prime Viewing Platform is raised and directly opposite the stage, about 40 metres away.
• Sunday 22 August 2027, Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton: Somerset Sounds and the last night of the tour. Elite Stage View private boxes, 1875 Elite and Thatchers Terrace are sold as stage-view packages; the Long Room and Ian Botham Pavilion boxes carry a restricted-view warning.

Where a venue's package includes a bar or drinks, alcohol is served to over-18s only, and ID may be required.

The Piece Hall's Balcony ticket adds fast-track entry, covered balcony areas with upper-level viewing, a private balcony bar and separate toilets. Its Live at Lounge option is a VIP area with a private bar and toilets, balcony views of the stage, fast-track entry, a welcome drink, a souvenir lanyard and a DJ until late after the show. Both are listed for all three Halifax nights.

At Scarborough Open Air Theatre, the Rooftop VIP Bar launched in summer 2026 for groups of up to 40, with a raised, covered viewing area, a private bar, food brought from the onsite vendors and private toilets. The venue says it will be available on summer 2027 shows but has not named Simply Red's night.

At both venues, alcohol is served to over-18s only, and ID may be required.