Simple Minds were a fantastic live band from the get-go, yet despite that, it took them almost a decade before they released their first official live album. The hunger was there from the fanbase as many bootlegs exchanged hands from the earliest days.
Now, barely a year goes by without the band milking yet another live release. Okay, technically, there hasn’t been a live release since October 2023 and the release of New Gold Dream Live from Paisley Abbey …. so just over 18 months (by the time of LITCID’s release) but…yeah.
Okay, they pride themselves in being a fantastic live band so why wouldn’t they keep on bringing out live albums? I don’t know – because the cynic in me sees it as a continuous cash-grab? I feel like this band just wants to milk their fanbase for all their worth. Yes, we can choose not to be party to it. (I for one won’t be making an effort to pre-order. Many of the live albums I have of Simple Minds sit collecting dust, never being played – yet the bootlegs are the things that remain on fairly steady rotation …. When I can even listen to them.) It also now fully explains Kerr’s post from a few days back about the whole “live music” thing. Just another preamble for a plug. The purists and the more loyal AF diehards will buy into it. They feel obligated. Compelled to do so. I used to feel like that too, hence the live albums in my collection that are there as expensive dust-collectors.
ANYWAY! I promised myself that I would just blog about the release with the facts and not go on a moany, bitchy rant at the same time…but what can I say? That’s almost impossible these days. Sorry.
Here goes: Recorded at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam (not exactly a favourite venue for the Dutch, but who cares about that, right?) in 2024 as part of the Global Tour, this offering has been released with a mind-numbing 7m 35s version of Don’t You (Forget About Me) (as if we could, you keep reminding us every 5 fecking minutes!) which can be listened to NOW (no thanks!) on all streaming platforms.
Released on a 2CD set with a 24-page “Media Book” (which does look nice from the photos displayed – still not biting though! One for getting on the cheap from eBay eventually, mabbies), as well as 2LP on either standard black vinyl or special clear/glitter vinyl (fewer tracks at 18 rather than the CD version of 24).
Available to pre-order and released on 25 April 2025 – check out all the extra info at simpleminds.com
