Groundbreaking Scottish rock troupe Simple Minds is embarking on their biggest headline tour in four decades and the good news for fans here in the Coachella Valley is the band will perform at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert on Friday, May 23.
The band is touring in connection with the release of an all-news double live album set for release via BMG on Friday, April 2. Recorded live in concert in April 2024 at Amsterdam, Netherlands' Ziggo Dome, Live in the City of Diamonds will be released in a variety of formats including digitally, on standard black vinyl LP, and on a double-disc CD (the latter featuring 24 tracks and a 24-page media book featuring exclusive photos and tour notes).
Live in the City of Diamonds collects concert performances of classic tracks and deep cuts from across Simple Minds' stunning body of work.
"All we wanted was to be in 'a great live band' and to spend outlives taking our music with us around the world," Simple Minds co-founder and frontman Jim Kerr said a media release. "Decades later we still relish that challenge ever night on tour. 'Live in the City of Diamonds' captures both the spirit and fever of Simple Minds live at this moment in time."
Last month saw Simple Minds kicking off what looks to be a milestone year with an electrifying US network late night TV performance of “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (streaming HERE). Indeed, 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most significant periods in Simple Minds’ extraordinary history, a landmark moment in their legendary career which saw the worldwide chart-topping success of “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” and release of their RIAA Gold-certified seventh studio album Once Upon A Time, not to mention their unforgettable set in front of 135,000 fans – and a TV audience of millions – on the American leg of 1985’s Live Aid. The occasion was further celebrated last month with the digital premiere of a special new 9-track edition of Once Upon A Time featuring the addition of “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” and updated Ruby Anniversary artwork. Physical versions and other anniversary reissues will follow later in the year.
"Hindsight is a glorious thing!,” says Kerr. “40 years on and it now feels right for Simple Minds to have ‘Don't You (Forget About Me)’ included in this classy new nine track edition of Once Upon A Time."
For more information on how to get tickets to the band's upcoming performances, visit simpleminds.com.
Robert Kinsler
