Simple Minds kicked of this summer's Heritage Live concert series at Audley End House & Gardens.

The chart-topping Scottish rockers fronted by Jim Kerr headlined at the English Heritage estate in Essex on Thursday night.

Saffron Walden Reporter: A glittering prize... Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.A glittering prize... Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Caezar opened the show before Saffron Walden's very own Joanna Eden Band made their customary Audley End appearance.

Scottish pop duo Hue and Cry – brothers Pat and Greg Kane – then took to the stage.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Hue and Cry performing at Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Hue and Cry performing at Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Chief support were another Scottish band, Big Country, who were joined on stage by special guest Richard Jobson of The Skids.

Jobson co-founded The Skids with Big Country co-founder and frontman Stuart Adamson, who passed away in 2001.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Big Country were joined on stage by Richard Jobson at Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Big Country were joined on stage by Richard Jobson at Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

As well as playing Big Country hits such as Look Away, the band also performed The Skids' Into The Valley.

Proving they're still very much Alive and Kicking after more than 40 years in the business, headliners Simple Minds mixed classic tracks such as Love Song and Waterfront with material from forthcoming new album Direction of the Heart, including Act of Love and latest single Vision Thing.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

The Someone Somewhere in Summertime group, of course, also played huge American number one hit Don't You (Forget About Me) from The Breakfast Club movie soundtrack.

Fans enjoyed the gig. One posted on Heritage Live's Instagram page: "Fantastic day and evening, perfect venue, Simple Minds were awesome."

Another wrote: "Absolutely brilliant. What a great afternoon/evening of music. And all at a beautiful venue."

Saffron Walden Reporter: Simple Minds guitarist Charlie Burchill on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Simple Minds guitarist Charlie Burchill on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

The Bootleg Beatles, From The Jam featuring originally member of The Jam Bruce Foxton, and The Counterfeit Stones will all perform at Audley End today (Friday, August 12).

Elbow and special guest Richard Hawley play the stately home on Saturday, with organisers warning ticket holders of planned train strikes for August 13.

The Heritage Live website states: "We recommend all customers check your routes before setting off and be prepared for increased levels of traffic if coming by car."

Sir Tom Jones and support The Shires play Heritage Live on Sunday, August 14.


Pictures of Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End

Saffron Walden Reporter: Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Simple Minds keyboard player Berenice Scott on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Simple Minds keyboard player Berenice Scott on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Simple Minds drummer Cherisse Osei on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Simple Minds drummer Cherisse Osei on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Simple Minds on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Caezar on stage at Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Caezar on stage at Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Dancing at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Dancing at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Joanna Eden on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Joanna Eden on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Joanna Eden on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Joanna Eden on stage at the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Big Country on stage at Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Big Country on stage at Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Some of the crowd enjoying the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Some of the crowd enjoying the Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Big Country were joined on stage by Richard Jobson at Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Big Country were joined on stage by Richard Jobson at Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Big Country were joined on stage by Richard Jobson at Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex.Big Country were joined on stage by Richard Jobson at Simple Minds' Heritage Live concert at Audley End House & Gardens in Essex. (Image: Heritage Live)