Rock band Simple Minds and The Pretenders will come together on the same stage in Kent this weekend for the first time since Live Aid in the 80s.

The landmark date, topped off with the addition of special guest KT Tunstall, will be at the Kent Event Centre near Maidstone on Saturday, August 4.

The last time Simple Minds, led by Jim Kerr and The Pretenders, fronted by Chrissie Hynde, were on stage together was for the epic fundraising event, Live Aid, back in 1985.

Simple Minds released their new album Walk Between Worlds in February - their 17th of new material.

The band, whose classic hits include Don't You (Forget About Me) and Alive and Kicking have achieved six No.1 albums in the UK. Since forming in Glasgow in the late 1970s they have sold more than 70 million records worldwide. Walk Between Worlds’ is their 17th album of new material.

They will be playing hits from throughout their 40-year career. Jim said: “When we started Simple Minds, our objective was to be considered as one of the great live bands.

"A band that had the desire to go all around the world – playing everywhere and anywhere.

"That challenge is ongoing, and we relish touring, getting up close to so many who have supported us over the years.”

The Pretenders' latest album Alone is their 10th from the band who brought the world tunes including Stop your Sobbing, Brass In Pocket and I’ll Stand By You since forming in 1978. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, they will perform new material and some of their greatest hits on stage.

Now Los Angeles-based, Scottish star KT Tunstall emerged on the music scene in 2004 with her debut Eye To The Telescope spawning hits including Black Horse and the Cherry Tree and Suddenly I See, which won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song in 2006. Her music has featured in film and television including The Devil Wears Prada and Grey’s Anatomy.

DETAILS

Tickets for the Grandslam 2018 tour date on Saturday, August 4 at the Kent Event Centre at Detling near Maidstone cost from £37.50 for Bronze general admission, £45 for the Silver enclosure and £60 for Golden Circle tickets. To book visit ticketmaster.co.uk and lhgtickets.com