Ahead of Simply Red's performance at Sandown Park Racecourse on Thursday 4th August, we caught up with Mick Hucknall and chatted about performing at the races, his favourite songs to perform live and new music.

We cant wait to see you at Sandown Park this summer. What is it that you enjoy most about the outdoor summer racecourse shows?
The style of the show will be very different to the show we did in the indoors in the winter. We’re gonna play a lot more up tempo songs and it’s gonna be bright and sunny, hopefully like the weather!

Will you be heading to the course earlier in the day to watch the racing? Do you ever have a little flutter? 
My father was very much into horse racing, and it makes me feel kind of warm inside that whenever I’m at the race courses I’m thinking about my dad and his enthusiasm. For that reason I’m very much looking forward to the racecourse shows.

You're currently on tour playing arenas around the UK - how does it feel to be back playing live shows again?
We came off tour in March after it was postponed from 2020, and it was very special to be back on stage. People had been through so much through this covid, and I wanted to sort of help them escape from that problem. Music is always a way of helping people forget their problems, as well as also in the sadder songs to reflect on what’s happened to them.

What is your favourite song to play live and which gets the best crowd reaction?
I guess I have to say my favourite song to perform will always be Holding Back The Years. It’s the first song I ever wrote, and just such a key song on so many levels. Stars is also always a great one to perform, and seems to mean a lot to many people.

Your latest album Blue Eyed Soul came out in 2019 and marked your 12th top 10 album in the UK. How does it feel to have such an incredible career and continuing to achieve such heights nearly 40 years into the band? 
I feel very fortunate to still be doing what I love after so long. Not every artist is that lucky. Particularly now that we can tour again I’m just really happy to be back on stage and performing the music.

Have you begun writing for or recording music for your thirteenth studio album?
Yes, during the pandemic I’ve been writing songs, and we intend to release our next album in the not-too-distant future. I’m looking forward to sharing the new music with the fans. It’s been a very positive experience writing and recording this album.

 

Tickets to see Simply Red live after evening racing at Sandown Park Racecourse on Thursday 4th August are on sale now. Book your tickets here.