HAVING played a few festival dates this summer, Deacon Blue had nothing major lined up for the rest of the year.

But then a call from Simple Minds changed all that.

“They rang us up and asked us if we’d like to support them on their 30th anniversary arena tour,” said singer Ricky Ross.

“We said yes and that was the deal done.”

With songs like Real Gone Kid, Dignity and Wages Day, Deacon Blue were constant features in the charts in the late 1980s and early ‘90s and fans can look forward to hearing all the hits when the show comes to Manchester Arena at the end of November.

“It can’t be that subtle a show because of the size of the venue,” said Ricky. “So we will be playing the songs that people will want to hear.

“It will be interesting because not all the audience will have come to see us. The majority will be there for Simple Minds so it will keep us on our toes to put on a show and win any doubters over.”

As part of the show Simple Minds will be playing their New Gold Dream album in its entirety.

“We have huge respect for what they have achieved over the years,” said Ricky. “In a sense they wrote the book on how to be a band. We are thrilled to be playing with them.”

Ricky has become a much-in-demand songwriter for other people and this has rather halted his own solo work, “I always seem to be doing things for other people,” he said. “I hope to get round to a solo album next year. I’ve got enough stuff recorded to sort through when I’ve got time.”

The Simple Minds tour sees Deacon Blue back on the major stages of the UK.

“We’ve got two new members in the band this year and that has really kept us all on our toes,” said Ricky. “They want to prove themselves and we have to step up and show them the level of performance we all want to give.

“It is all about putting on a show and connecting with your audience. We started out playing in student unions where people hadn’t even paid to see us. You had to win people over then as they would have no hesitation in walking out if you weren’t any good.”

Such things seem hardly likely on the forthcoming tour.

“We don’t get out on the road as much as we used to and this is a real chance to get out and enjoy ourselves. There is nothing new to be done in the sense of new material. It is just a celebration with Simple Minds and we will certainly make the most of it.”

l Deacon Blue play Manchester Arena supporting Simple Minds on Thursday, November 27. Tickets from the 24-hour credit card hotline on 0871 424 4444 or book online at www.ticketline.co.uk