The Stranglers at Guildhall Square, Southampton (14.6.2025) with Buzzcocks supporting and Simple Minds with China Crisis supporting (29.6.2025)

Summer Sessions stage – Guildhall Square

It’s inside the Guildhall usually where the bands play but these Summer Sessions involve use of the outside space in the large square in front of the Guildhall pillars, hemmed in by towering blocks. It’s a good space and in a good location. A selection of artists over the summer and the weather has been kind.

Plenty of places to eat and drink along Above Bar Street. Met up with friends for the first one, in Belgium & Blues basement bar, with a feast of ales to choose from.

I came to one of the Southampton Summer Sessions last year, for Placebo, blog is here for reference. Two visits this summer, one for The Stranglers and the other for Simple Minds.

It’s Stranglers gig 33 for me, or those are what I can confirm anyway. Buzzcocks is at least 10. It’s just one original Buzzcock these days, Steve Diggle.

What I have done with this blog is treat it like a photo reel. First, The Stranglers and Buzzcocks support.

Great set from The Stranglers, drawing on their significant catalogue and finishing where it started really…..chart-wise, with No More Heroes.

Buzzcocks

Steve Diggle – Buzzcocks
Diggle

The Stranglers

JJ – The Stranglers
The Stranglers
Baz Warne – The Stranglers
Toby Hounsham
JJ
Toby Hounsham
The Stranglers – Southampton Sessions

Later in June is was time for Simple Minds. Another band I have seen a lot but early on and in the last 10 years – I had a big gap. The big gap was the same for China Crisis.

China Crisis

China Crisis bringing their friendly small gig approach to what is quite a big gig. Unlike The Stranglers, this one is sold out and it’s busy.

Simple Minds on the other hand bring their arena rock down a peg to the same arena. It’s not huge. Maybe 3500 capacity?

Southampton Guildhall Square

Again, a cracking set. Few words but here are some of my pics from the night.

China Crisis at Southampton Summer Sessions
Gary Daly – China Crisis
China Crisis – Southampton Summer Sessions
Eddie Lundon
Gary Daly
Let me get one of you.
China Crisis – Eddie and Gary

Simple Minds

Charlie Burchill – Simple Minds
Jim Kerr – Simple Minds
Jim
Charlie
Jim Kerr in Southampton
Simple Minds
Back over The Guildhall
Jim

Two great nights. Simple Minds considerably warmer – bit of cool wind blowing up for The Stranglers. 

Both near the top of my gigs for the year. Reliable entertainment for a grey-haired gig goer.

All photos from my trusty TZ90 Panasonic pocket zoom.

Published by ivaninblack

I started going to gigs in 1979 and now, over four decades later, I'm still at it. The last ten years has seen a surge and if there is such a thing I may have become a gigaholic. Punk, post-punk, indie rock, rock and pop, yes a bit of 80s pop...folk, oh go on then I'll try anything.

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