Hollywood Rock 1988 bands return to Brazil in 2025

Simply Red, Simple Minds and The Pretenders return to the country with shows that celebrate their trajectories

The groups Simply Red, Simple Minds and The Pretenders, who played for the first time in Brazil during Hollywood Rock in 1988, return to the country in 2025. The curious coincidence occurs in the individual performances scheduled between March and May, in cities such as Rio de Janeiro , Sao Paulo and Brasilia, with repertoires rich in classics.

Simply Red shows

The youngest of the trio, Simply Red returns to Brazil in March with their 40th anniversary tour. Led by Mick Hucknall, the British band will perform in Rio de Janeiro on 3/12 and in Sao Paulo on 3/15. In the official announcement, Hucknall promised a nostalgic evening: “We will enjoy a memorable evening, celebrating the incredible journey we have been on together over the last four decades.”

The group’s last visit to Brazil took place in 2016, but their debut took place in 1988, at Hollywood Rock, when they shared the stage with Duran Duran and Ultraje a Rigor. Among the hits that should be included in the repertoire are songs popular in the country thanks to the soundtracks of soap operas, such as “Holding Back the Years” (“Wheel of Fire”, 1986), “If You Don’t Know Me by Now ” (“O Sexo dos Anjos”, 1989) and “For your children” (“De Corpo e Alma”, 1992).

Simple Minds Tour

Simple Minds, a Scottish band fronted by Jim Kerr, arrive in May with the “40 Years of Hits” tour. Presentations are scheduled for May 3 in Rio and May 4 in Sao Paulo.

The Scottish band’s tour was designed to accompany the release of the compilation “40: The Best Of 1979-2019”, which spans their career from debut album “Life in a Day” to 2018’s “Walk Between Worlds” , but the original shows in 2020 were canceled amid the pandemic. The repertoire is focused on the album’s content, which includes classics such as “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”, “Alive and Kicking” and “New Gold Dream”, as well as songs from the most recent album, “Direction of the Heart”.

The band’s debut in Brazil also took place at Hollywood Rock in 1988, playing together with Paralamas do Sucesso and UB-40.

The return of the suitors

The Anglo-American band The Pretenders completes the trio of attractions. The group led by Chrissie Hynde, who also participated in Hollywood Rock in 1988, will return in May to perform at the C6 Fest in Sao Paulo, 5/24, as well as in Porto Alegre (5/19), Curitiba (5/20 ) and Brasilia (22/5).

The tour’s setlist includes classics like “Back on the Chain Gang,” “Brass in Pocket” and “I’ll Stand by You,” as well as songs from the most recent album, “Relentless” (2023). Hynde, who came to live in downtown São Paulo in 2004, performed at Hollywood Rock on the same day as two Brazilian bands, Ira! and Titans. The last time he played for the Pretenders in the country was in 2018, at Allianz Parque.

The presentations promise to revive the nostalgia of Hollywood Rock, with hits that marked the 80s, bringing Brazilian fans closer to one of the most iconic moments of the country’s international music.

Source: Terra

Earl

Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.