Simply Red to play at Mission concert

Simply Red will play at the Mission Concert next year.

Music is once again set to rock The Mission this summer.

The Mission Estate has secured English soul and pop group Simply Red to perform in February.

The concert will be part of the new Mission Estate Summer Concert series. Simply Red will take to the stage on February 28 with another major international artist, to be announced, to perform on February 27.

This year's concert was cancelled after a suitable act was unable to be found.

Mission Estate CEO Peter Holley said at the time that many acts were now geared to indoor venues and while the Mission was a unique setting, it had limitations in some areas.

However, his team were delighted to announce the 2016 concert. "We are looking forward to hosting the outstanding act and seeing them put on an exemplary performance."

He was hopeful of attracting more acts for the summer concert series.

"We want to put the fun back in summer," Mr Holley said.

Simply Red last performed at Taradale's Church Road on their final Farewell Tour in October 2010. They had been set down to play at Church Road again next year but recently pulled out.

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton congratulated the Mission Estate management for securing a group of such calibre

"I think it's absolutely amazing. It will be fantastic for Hawke's Bay."

Napier's Cabana owner and renowned muso Roy Brown said it was a huge draw for the Bay.

"It's a big ask to fill such a big venue, I hope they get the numbers."

Mr Brown still has fond memories of the Simply Red gig in Auckland in the late 1980s.

"I thoroughly enjoyed them, lead singer Mick Hucknall is a real showman.

"Hopefully they can get some real quality international acts to support them," he said.

Band frontman Hucknall said he likes an anniversary, and "this is a big one" for the group.

"30 years! It's incredible. What a great thing to celebrate!"

For the New Zealand tour, Hucknall will be joined by long-serving bandmates Ian Kirkham (sax), Steve Lewinson (bass), Kenji Suzuki (guitar), Kevin Robinson (trumpet and flute) and Dave Clayton (keyboards), plus new drummer Roman Roth.

The English band have sold more than 50 million albums over their 30-year career and will use their swansong world tour to drop their new album, Big Love.

Simply Red have had top 10 hits through the 80s, 90s and 2000s. Now, with the band entering its fourth decade, Hucknall prepares to set off on one of the biggest tours of Simply Red's career with his sense of purpose clearer than ever.

"We're called Simply Red for a reason.

"I want to keep it simple. Our fans know who we are. They have been loyal to us. Now I'm ready to go out there and give them what they want."

-Tickets to the Simply Red Napier concert will go on sale at noon on Friday, November 13 through www.missionconcert.co.nz and Ticketmaster.