"Acoustic versions never come that easy to the work I have been involved in. In my head the music of Lostboy! AKA as with Simple Minds is perhaps too dramatic in sound to adapt well to the "bongos on the beach" versions that many others are good at! Stripped down versions maybe would fare better" - Jim, 28th February 2010

Lostboy! AKA is to perform twelve "electro sets" for various European/UK radio stations in August. The "two man show" is to be specially produced and exclusive to select major radio stations and their competition winners.

Lasting at just over 45mins the mini-set up features vocals by Jim Kerr, with keyboards and programmed percussion by Simon Hayward. All shows will be recorded to be broadcast on air afterwards. Dates are now being confirmed and will be announced shortly.

"I am looking forward to this as it will be yet another challenge. In return for their valued support radio stations are looking for acts to do private shows that are usually based on either stripped down or acoustic sets - both formats that I feel don't suit Lostboy!. The concept of the electro set however could open up an alternative way of putting across many of the songs that feature so strongly on the album. Simon's remixes to date have been very popular, additionally this will give me the chance to discover some more about him and his amazing creative energy. Ever present producer Jez Coad, will over see the production of the set and obviously we are all curious to see how the results pan out." - Jim.

"I am really starting to think about this now, although Simon has been on it for sometime. May be more than a two man set up since I have also asked Sarah Brown to come along. Sarah will bring her usual great vocals as well as an a fair amount of glamour I suspect. I expect a couple of brand new Lostboy! AKA songs will be performed also in this mini electro set." - Jim, 23rd June 2010

"The Lostboy! Electro Set will include 11 songs - 5 as yet not released by Lostboy! and including 3 covers of songs by Moby, Massive Attack and Kraftwerk. Also features In Every Heaven, written by Simple Minds and originally recorded to be included on New Gold Dream - it has until now never been performed live." - Jim, 14th July 2010.

"Well, I'm all set for the start of the Lostboy Electro tour. Today's rehearsal went well and I've ironed out a few snags.

It goes without saying that I'm very excited about the next 2 weeks.

The set list will be something like:

Refugee
She Fell In Love With Silence
Bulletproof Heart
Neon Lights
Remember Asia
Cynical Heart
In Every Heaven
Shadowland
Red Letter Day - Room
--------
Teardrop
What Goes On

The challenge has been to re-arrange the songs without guitars (though I've used a couple of sample triggers here and there). Like the Lostboy album, the electro set is full of different textures and emotions. Sarah Brown's backing vocals add a whole new layer to what I'd describe as a widescreen sound. (And I managed to sneak In Every Heaven and Room into the set!).

The songs in the set represent the best of the 20 odd songs I prepared. The planned Moby song didn't work out in rehearsals so we dropped it.

Working with Jim has been a lot of fun - he has so much passion and energy for the material. (And believe me, there's a whole lot of amazing Lostboy AKA! and Simple Minds music to come).

So, before I dash off to the airport I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to all on this forum and the many of you who have shown such support for me over the years.

It took me 30 years, but I got there in the end! Fingers crossed I don't f*ck up and accidentally destroy Jim's career." - Simon Hayward, 2nd August 2010

AAA pass for the tour. The laminate features artwork on the front with number and all tour the dates on the back.

NDR Radio, Hamburg, Germany 4th August, 2010 Main Set: Refugee / She Fell In Love With Silence / Bulletproof Heart / Neon Lights / Remember Asia / Cynical Heart / In Every Heaven / Shadowland / Red Letter Day - Room - Rock And Roll Encore: Teardrop / What Goes On "History made with this first "electroset" gig, first time I've performed without a band. Was confident Simon's production would go over well, knew Sarah would be star. Question was whether I would be able to get "into" the music same way as when fronting a powerful band. No problem at all! Thanks to who all who encourage me! I am keen on doing much more of this!" - Jim, 4th August 2010. Many thanks to Stef for the photographs. SWR Radio, Mannheim, Germany 5th August, 2010 Main Set: Refugee / She Fell In Love With Silence / Bulletproof Heart / Neon Lights / Remember Asia / Cynical Heart / In Every Heaven / Shadowland / Red Letter Day - Room - Rock And Roll Encore: Teardrop / What Goes On Click here for further information. HR1 Maintower Radio, Frankfurt, Germany 9th August, 2010 Main Set: Shadowland / She Fell In Love With Silence / Bulletproof Heart / Neon Lights / Remember Asia / Cynical Heart / In Every Heaven / Red Letter Day - Room - Rock And Roll Encore: Teardrop / Shadowland / What Goes On Click here for further information. "Enjoyed the intimacy of last night. Played within a tiny room that held about 50 people max as part of the LOSTBOY! radio promo tour. The pleasure in the eyes of the audience was so obvious. As Lefsetz says "Rock and roll is a communion, a link between player and listener via the music. A fan wants to meet his hero not to get a story to tell, but to thank the musician for providing so much joy!" - Jim, 10th August 2010. Island Radio 300, St. Regis Mardavall, Mallorca 12th August, 2010 Main Set: Shadowland / She Fell In Love With Silence / Bulletproof Heart / Neon Lights / Cynical Heart / Remember Asia / In Every Heaven / Red Letter Day - Room - Rock And Roll Encore: Teardrop / What Goes On / Shadowland Click here for further information. "Least for the moment the last of the Radio show Electrosets happened last night. Short, sharp, blasts, they have been very successful. Not easy though as each gig was in different circumstances and took mental adjusting each night. Mallorca gig was more like a garden party set in one of the most amazing surroundings. The atmosphere cool. People had a thoroughly good time all the same." - Jim, 13th August 2010.