Simply Red fights for the vote: Fantastic anniversary in Cologne!

Simply Red fights for the vote: Fantastic anniversary in Cologne!

On October 31, 2025, the Lanxess Arena in Cologne was transformed into a festival of music when the British band Simply Red celebrated their anniversary concert. A proud 15,000 fans came together on Halloween to experience this special evening and express their enthusiasm for the legendary group, which was founded in Manchester in 1985. Over 60 million albums sold testify to the enduring popularity of the band, whose frontman Mick Hucwickel, despite suffering from a sore throat, gave his all to inspire the crowd. Despite his health difficulties, Hucschnell showed himself to be combative and mastered the concert with flying colors.

At the start of the concert, the audience was introduced to the atmosphere with a short mini-film about Hucwickel's impressive career. The setlist included 20 songs that had fans singing along, including classics like “Sad Old Red,” “Jericho,” and “Money’s Too Tight (To Mention).” The band reproduced the sound of their original tracks very closely, which particularly pleased the early fans. Huckram often struggled with his voice during the performance, drank water and expressed disappointment at his condition. But the audience didn't leave him alone - applause and singing supported the frontman during his performance.

Impressions and emotions

The stage was bathed in soft colors and soothing videos on the screens created an atmospheric atmosphere. Particularly noteworthy are the soulful solo performances by saxophonist Ian Kirkham, which reinforced the emotional climax of the concert. Despite the challenges Huckram faced, he managed to continue winning the hearts of viewers with his wit and charm. A highlight was his performance of “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” in which he relaxed the situation with a wink.

The main set was followed by encores, including the eagerly anticipated “Something Got Me Started.” The crowning finale was “Holding Back the Years”, a song that Hucschnell wrote as a teenager and which therefore had a very special meaning for him and the audience. The fans' enthusiasm was unbroken, and the emotional connection with the band could be felt in every note.

Music and health

In a broader context, the event shows how important the aspect of health is, especially for artists. Dr. med. Dipl.-Mus. Isabel Fernholz, who works at the Kurt Singer Institute for Music Physiology and Musicians' Health in Berlin, researches the mental health of musicians, especially performance anxiety and its prevention. Even behind the scenes of solo artists like Hucschnell there is often a certain risk of losing their voice and thus their career due to health problems. Music has a strong effect on the human psyche and plays a central role in the health of artists, as described on musikrat.de.

The challenge of standing in front of an audience, coupled with physical limitations, is a balancing act for many musicians. Huckram's event in Cologne was not only a celebration of music, but also a living example of how passion and support from fans can help to survive even in difficult times. Although one could feel the health challenges that Huckram was facing that evening, his passion for music outshone every little difficulty and made this evening unforgettable.