Simple Minds and The Pretenders revealed in Slessor Gardens line-up

Stars of the 1980s to co-headline huge outdoor concert

Two of the biggest bands of the 1980s are to co-headline a massive outdoor gig at Slessor Gardens next year.

Scottish rockers Simple Minds and The Pretenders will lead the line-up of the September 9 concert.

Support will come from St Andrews singer-songwriter KT Tunstall.

Tickets for the concert are go on sale on Wednesday. They will cost from £37.50 to £60.

Simple Minds, who feature Dundonian Ged Grimes on bass, are one of Scotland’s most successful bands.

Formed in Glasgow in 1977, they have sold more than 70 million albums worldwide and enjoyed five UK number one albums.

Simple Minds enjoyed a string of hits including songs such as Belfast Child, Don’t You (Forget About Me), Promised You a Miracle and, fittingly for a concert at Slessor Gardens, Waterfront.

The band’s new album, Walk Between Worlds, will be released in February.

The Pretenders, led by iconic frontwoman Chrissie Hynde, have released a series of acclaimed albums but are best known for their number one hit Brass in Pocket and Back on the Chain Gang.

Hynde and Simple Minds lead singer Jim Kerr were married in 1984 and have a daughter, Yasmin. The couple split in 1990.

The concert will be the final date of a joint tour between the two bands.

A spokeswoman for promoters The Liz Hobbs Group said: “It will be the final date of a big tour that ends in Dundee so it is going to be a great night.”

SNP councillor Lynne Short, convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee, said: “The first outdoor stadium gig I ever saw was Simple Minds, so it will be great to get the chance to see them in the open air again, this time in the heart of Dundee.

“Chrissie Hynde is an one of rock’s most iconic female performers and has blazed her own trail for many years so the fact that this gig will be co-headlined by The Pretenders, gives the city a twofor-the-price-of-one feel that I am sure music fans from Dundee and beyond will be keen to get tickets for.”

Slessor Gardens has a capacity of more than 11,000.

Last year, tens of thousands of fans attended concerts by UB40, Little Mix and Olly Murs.

Pop band Steps are also scheduled to play Slessor Gardens in 2018.

They will perform in Dundee on June 22. Support will come from Blue and Aqua.

Picture: Kris Miller. Jim Kerr of Simple Minds will return to Dundee next year for the open air gig.

Iconic frontwoman Chrissie Hynde is sure to draw a crowd in Dundee.

Fife’s KT Tunstall will provide support for the gig.