Mick Hucknall

Who is Mick Hucknall?

Mick Hucknall is the singer, songwriter and founder of Simply Red, born in Manchester on 8 June 1960. He formed the band in the city in 1985, is still its one constant member and won the BRIT Award for British Male Solo Artist in 1993. In August 2027 he fronts Simply Red's 11 UK shows on the Summer Funk '27 tour.

As Simply Red's singer he has fronted the band's five UK No.1 albums, including Stars, and their UK No.1 single "Fairground" (1995), as well as "Holding Back the Years" and "If You Don't Know Me by Now", both UK No.2 hits.

What is Mick Hucknall doing in 2027?

Mick Hucknall leads Simply Red on the Summer Funk '27 tour, announced on 17 September 2026 as the band's first tour since their 40th anniversary tour in 2025. After 27 European shows from 16 June, starting in Lisbon, the UK leg runs to 11 shows at 9 venues in August 2027, from Chester Racecourse on 7 August to the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton on 22 August.

Announcing the tour, he said: "We can't wait to get back out on the road again in summer 2027 to perform at some incredible and historic venues across the UK and Europe. You can expect a set full of Simply Red upbeat hits to get you on your feet having fun in the sun with friends and family."

On stage he leads a seven-piece band, with Ian Kirkham, Kenji Suzuki, Kevin Robinson, Roman Roth, Gary Sanctuary and Orefo Orakwue alongside him. In 2025 he fronted the band's 40th anniversary tour, documented on the live release "Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago". Every 2027 date is listed in Are Simply Red touring in 2027?.

What awards has Mick Hucknall won?

Mick Hucknall's own BRIT Award is British Male Solo Artist, which he won in 1993, the same year Simply Red won British Group for the second year running after their 1992 win. The band's tour announcement counts all three as Simply Red's BRIT Awards. Simply Red also hold two Ivor Novello Awards, for Songwriter of the Year and for Outstanding Song Collection.

Has Mick Hucknall made solo albums?

Yes. Mick Hucknall's solo albums include American Soul, which reached No.6 on the UK Albums Chart in 2012, and Tribute to Bobby, which peaked at No.18 in 2008 and is credited on the chart simply to "Hucknall". Outside the band's own records, he co-founded the reggae label Blood and Fire in 1993.

How did Mick Hucknall form Simply Red?

Mick Hucknall formed Simply Red in Manchester in 1985, after singing in the punk band The Frantic Elevators. His red hair had earned him the nickname "Red", and because "Red" alone did not sound right to him, he put "Simply" in front of it. After a split in 2010, the band reformed in 2015 with Hucknall still fronting it.

At Chester Racecourse on 7 August, the first of Mick Hucknall's UK nights with Simply Red in 2027, every hospitality package includes Golden Circle access. At Newmarket Racecourse on 21 August, the raised Prime Viewing Platform faces the stage once the racing is over. In Taunton on 22 August, Somerset Sounds sells stage-view private boxes. The Simply Red Tour 2027 hospitality page sets out every date, and the Simply Red page covers the band's hits and history.