The Minds in the Shed

In late 2023, my old bandmates, Brian McGee and Derek Forbes, along with John Leckie, our first producer with Simple Minds, made the pilgrimage to my home on Vatersay, Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It wasn't so much Desert Island Discs as Dessert Island and slipped discs!
With the help of a Vatersay Boys drums, (he is now known as Donnie Spielberg) we hobbled our zimmer frames and instruments on a trip down memory lane. It wasn't long before we were flying! We resuscitated old tunes like, In Trance as Mission, 30 Frames a Second and Celebrate got the old juices flowing and the memories fired up. The good, the bad, and the ugly!
We toasted friends we'd lost along the way and healed old wounds, or at least soothed them. In that shed on Vatersay, the years rolled away, as did a few tears.

[@gordonmurray2477]

Look how happy Mick looks. Really great to see. Thank you Mick, Derek and Brian for making music that has formed such an important part of my life. You are massively appreciated.

[@tornhalibut9848]

🫶🏻Beautiful work, Mick and great to see you gents back together again. This will mean so much to so many (me included)! 👏🏻

[@CONSIDERABLYMORE1]

With the greatest of respect to the current, touring line up, but you guys together totally nail these songs. Looking forward to a tour🙏

[@leoncm100]

Hi Birthday Mick, loving watching your videos!

[@TK-ec5bv]

Mick, you are the finest keyboard and accordion player - so great to witness this performance. Thank you again.

[@richardtaylor-west4725]

Get the whole band back together guys.. and fill Ibrox Park, Wembley.. .. Cardiff... etc.

[@pameladiamond9603]

I'd pay a lot of money to see and hear that!

[@davidcassells2154]

Recently dropped my nephew and his mates in town they are all about 28 years old listen to the 80s radio all of a sudden the waterfront came on I turned up the volume the boys were blown away shouting who is that band I told that’s simple minds then I put music played them classic minds they loved it mick and I named the band

[@StevenJackson-lv1hr]

That was SO good. You guys are utterly revered (and sorely missed!) by the hardcore SM fanbase!

[@JohnMcaulay-gp6nb]

Letting bygones be bygones with people that matter to you, and have shared something major with you, is a profound & spirit lifting experience.

[@mazdaman0075]

Brilliant Mick, the heart of Simple Minds back together. You guys need to tour !

[@jamieholmes4675]

Although I think the current Simple Minds line up is fantastic I'd be first in the queue if you guys got back in 👊

[@2711marty]

I'm next in the queue Jamie - these briefs'll sell out fast!

[@billcowie]

How the hell did you get John to agree to wear the t shirt? Fantastic stuff

[@nickvonbehr657]

Great to see John Leckie with you, arguably one of most significant recording engineers and producers of the last 50 years. Keep at it folks.

[@brucefindlay]

❤❤❤❤👍

[@yardelli]

I love the fact that you guys are jamming in the Hebrides and as I watch this Jim and Charlie are on a World Tour Down Under! Keep 'um coming Mick!

[@alanstapleton2240]

This is just out of this world and could listen to it all day on repeat! These guys were, and will always be, my Simple Minds dream time. Thanks for sharing Mick!

[@jameshancox1]

so great to see, this is what the band have been missing from the 80s

[@ewantodd]

This music is so current. Love you guys

[@gg41r]

Id pay to see this line up play the old toons

[@JonBoyOC]

Wow. Please get a tour going. Please Please Please could you do Book of Brill things. Live version. Sat in the dark countless hours watching it over and over. Keyboards so emotive.

[@davidgormley7990]

Ah Mick, this is so good. Do we get to see full versions of these tracks? Come on, please!

[@mpk33]

Alright Mick? Good to see you lads having a great time & reliving the Minds' glory days. Loving the laughs & comedy in the video. Keep 'em coming. Great music by you all. Thank God you're not stuck on tour in Australia currently with the moody bastard & the latest lineup, you're there at home having a laugh, out in nature & remembering your fallen brother & letting the music heal the pains of the past. I'm raising my wee Tumbler with a few nips of holy water. Cheers lads, & thank you for everything! 🥃🥃🥃🥃

[@Bigsbeee]

This is fking unreal ❤ So you still have the Korg Mick ! I saw your Jup 4 knocking about few year’s ago but already had one . Regards to Derek - I play bass because of him - I’m 61 but as a teen had the white baggies and white shoes and eventually the pbass Man THE best band ever for me. They make me cringe now. When Derek and Mick left it was end of an era for me. Warms my heart to watch this video.

[@guyincognito1560]

What a gift. I feel so fortunate to have been just the right age to be transcended when I heard my first SM song which was Love Song and the soundtrack of my life was written. It took 5 special boys to make those amazing albums and how you nabbed Leckie who could have produced anyone is still just another example of how fate or providence has a way of putting something special in motion. Thank you for sharing Mick.

[@raindrums7496]

I really hope that you consider taking this "get together" further and make The Minds a touring reality. I know that there would be a huge interest to see you play live. I will be there if you want to make it happen.

[@krg1965]

Ah, the smiles. As much as the music, seeing you fellas together playing music you love 'cos you love it - brilliant. What a treat this video is. And with John on the mix as well, it's Christmas in Feb. Love the shirts, as well as Brian's professional logo on the kick drum :-) And I'm sure and certain that the friends who are no longer around in person were loving the music and the fact that you all remembered them. Nostalgia maybe, but you all looked and sounded like friends celebrating who and where you are now. That's the bit that's got me with a smiley tear. Thanks so much for this, you're a fine bunch o' lads.

[@mickmacneil1]

Really lovely words, thanks. MM

[@andyinniss]

Wonderful to see this Mick

[@hareldemiquelon6165]

Great ! I d like so much hear a complete version (even instrumental) of In trance as mission !

[@80sman80]

Excellent stuff..... great to see you guys back together...

[@nickbrooker1411]

bloody love this!! bumped into Brian in Edinburgh airport a couple of summers ago - lovely chap and took time to chat to me and my mate a couple of long term Minds fans!

[@alanrowland6971]

Fantastic to see you guys together, a tour would be most welcome as that material would stand up live even without vocals ❤

[@beanser1]

if not now then never will. nothing to lose ❤

[@EmpiresDance]

Fantabulous sound 🎹🎶Long live The Minds ! ..and if you need a singer.. 😉❤

[@christianedekoning2057]

I was 'in trance' hearing and seeing this video, with a great climax at the end. This recording proves once again that you guys are still wizards par excellence. Please keep on playing and making music and letting us enjoy your wonderful and masterful creations.

[@Dupertron-lo9pz]

‘For just one moment in time….’. Very fitting

[@brucefindlay]

Love it...❤❤❤❤ 👍

[@newgolddreamer1182]

Love it, love it, love it!!! Need to see and hear this and much more at a live show. C'mon guys, make it happen! 🙏🏼😊

[@Colinsdroneadventures1968]

Absolutely brilliant stuff fellas!!..please let this be just a teaser!!the real sound of Simple Minds performed by those who wrote these classics 🎶🎶🎶👍👍👌

[@ronniewilson6597]

Now thats the Simple Minds sound. Fantastic. Please start touring 🙏🏻💙👍🏻😀

[@user-vw7jf3oh1g]

Michael MacNeil : Spirit of Simple Minds. Thank you so much.

[@davidcassells2154]

Mick the early days you were the best band ever in the uk new gold dream my favourite of all time I was gutted when you all went your separate ways

[@mickmacneil1]

Well how can you say what you said, then look at the last gig, set list? My contribution is still vast.

[@m2dov1234]

Love it lads - could watch and listen to these all day - love the comments too - take it on the road 👍👍👌

[@kurimarangi4173]

Thanks Mick. Simply awesome.

[@rmzidann]

Lovely work Mick!! 👏🏼👏🏼👌

[@user-bd4vy4me2r]

Please please tour 🤞👍 I’ll be there

[@user-gk8dp1pp5j]

Absolute class Mick hope there's more to come from you guys this is the true sound of Simple Minds.

[@woc56]

honest, heart warming and fun. A treasure❤

[@robertaguilera4042]

Love that celebrate version a lot

[@tracymclaughlin5664]

That the best thing I’ve seen in years, amazing music. Amazing guys. You could tour this. The minds we love.

[@williamlong7188]

As a SM fan it was a nice treat to have discovered this video seeing former band members get together and produce this gem of a film playing such superb music . You were the real Simple Minds no doubt the original. Beautiful journey you have been together.

[@moelwynbach9699]

Brilliant, great to see you enjoying playing together again. Hopefully this maybe the start of something. Love your KZbin channel Mick

[@mgbbdk]

I want more. Much more. Love You Guys. 💪

[@1-AMG]

Absolutely fantastic: the talent, the passion, the humour… that’s priceless!!

[@gregobrien4384]

Still have it lads..in bucket loads..

[@aliceb4905]

Love this. Some things NEVER get old!

[@andrewbourke839]

Great to see all of you together again and more importantly having fun and smiling. When does the tour begin?

[@caputmortis2248]

Nice to see the gang back together. Some of my favorite tracks from my favorite era of the band. After you guys left it was never the same. Original, innovative, inventive, fingers crossed for more from you in the near future. Thanks for the flashbacks ;)

[@alessio.genovese_04]

Very beautiful guys!!👍🏻😉👏🏼💯😍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️

[@peekay2619]

Merci beaucoup Mick 👍👍👍🎶🎵🎹🎸🎹🎶🎵!!!

[@ArtAndTalk]

Wunderbar!! This is so, so good to see and hear. When's the tour guys? Love to all. 🙏✌️♥️

[@hector3730]

Thumbs up

[@jonzilkow7272]

Celebrate sounds amazing. Nicely done. Miss you guys!

[@midwichyouthclub]

Ace!

[@eljamandy1776]

🙏 thank you - amazing

[@darkangeldeb]

This is bloody brilliant ❤ Next time the shed minds are together I don't suppose 'Seeing out the Angel' could make an appearance?? Brilliant to hear 30 frames, one if my favourites 😍

[@GrumpyToffee]

Brilliant to see you boys performing together again. Album and tour coming? Please?? 😁

[@cwilson9345]

Love it! Great puns too! Your recent uploads have been great - you look like you're enjoying making them as much as we're enjoying watching them. You guys should play viewer requests... Seriously...😀

[@stuartgriffin3903]

Hallelujah! This is great to see and hear ! When’s the tour ?

[@paulschilling2996]

These sound so much better than the originals!

[@eamonnflanagan6122]

Stunning. The heart and soul of simple minds

[@fabriziorusso4932]

Mick,"the man in the Sky"!!

[@WillCrazie]

Brilliant!!!... remember guys... available to snap your live shows when you can :)

[@rollingandtumbling]

0:30 to 0:40 - Mick you are such an inspirator; it's the most joyful thing I've seen in ages - this world needs More of You Minds! Thanks a million!

[@andykennedy9845]

This is brilliant, so happy seeing you guys back together doing what you do best ❤️

[@JohnMcaulay-gp6nb]

Hey Mick, that shot on the beach at 2:06, you could have called yourselves The Four Bellies!!

[@djderek1971]

Nice one, In Trance as Mission sounding class, get it right up ye! haha How about gettin on the phone to Rewind and setting up a gig in Scone in July!

[@paolobragaglia7249]

Amazing, a new sight on some of my favorite tracks from Simple Minds! Thank you for sharing! :D

[@trevorboyd6810]

Absolutely brilliant guys, keep this going pleeeease 😅❤

[@alexandarlfo]

Legend alive and kicking😊

[@user-xb3oy3vk7v]

Brilliant the music is so special fantastic thank you mick

[@robertgilchrist1218]

Fkin amazing to see you guys play

[@crisbernocchi8060]

Sono contenta di vedervi insieme per questi capolavori del passato. Stupendo. Grazie

[@grim6107]

awesome...those years will live in my mind forever .. when i first heard Simpleminds when i was 15.. all these songs with great bass lines/ amazing drums and keyboard sounds that lifted the spirits... best line up ever !!

[@revivalsynth1361]

Awesome!!!!!!

[@jhoogland8787]

The old songs 🥳🥳🥳🥳

[@kimdawcatgirl]

I love Simple Minds, former and current and am not privy to the dynamics that transpired. It certainly has happened to many great groups of the past, Sweet, Styx, Little River Band, Yes, etc. Love what you are doing here. Sounds amazing. Thank you for sharing!

[@ziopinoo71]

Mick , Derek, please rejoin SM for a Reunion global tour and come to Italy!! You lead Simple Minds era

[@user-vp7cs5zm4t]

God, there's got to be an album and tour in there somewhere?

[@marcs782]

This has made my day. ❤😂.

[@MrLozza70]

You get three original members of the band here, so that trumps the current touring line-up and makes "The Minds' the official Simple Minds!

[@Bradonomous]

Totally agree. I call the current touring line up the “Jim Kerr Experience”

[@m.jacobs2437]

Just superb ❤ keep 'em coming guys!

[@lauraa2508]

2:45 to. 3:25 shiver shiver shiver....MICK THe IS Epic.....goosebumps,unbelievable.

[@svarga1]

Fantastic! ❤ I laughed, I cried, I wondered where can I get one of those t-shirts...

[@graememulcahy1]

Cheers lads excellent ❤❤

[@graememulcahy1]

Mick,did John Leckie have input in the production of this? It’s brilliant

[@mickmacneil1]

Only on a inspirational level Graeme

[@goldsaj]

I will "hopefully" be looking forward to a 2025 reunion of the classic line up... It will be big, big news when it happens. After Jim and Charlie finish their successful SM global tour of 2024. And then have a small break. I am hoping the ultimate band. Get back together for one last time. For a new album and world tour. If sadly, it does not happen, at least I can "New Gold Dream".

[@user-dh1pc7dx9d]

Absolutly brilliant! Love this!❤❤❤

[@Torreviejaunedited-june0123]

That was a great watch guys. Well done. The Minds love it.

[@JohnAnast]

OMG! What a surprise! Perfect!❤😊

[@harry.mfowlie9368]

take it on the road Mick

[@joseroncaglione1062]

The Dynamite band!! Reunirse urgente, gira mundial!!