Simple Minds Unveil New Live Version of ‘Once Upon A Time’ from Upcoming Album ‘Live in The City of Diamonds’

jim and charlie
Credit Dean Chalkley

Today (11 April) BMG release a newly recorded live version of Simple Minds’ ‘Once Upon a Time’ – the title track from the band’s 1985 multi-platinum, seventh studio album – which appears on the forthcoming live album, Live in The City of Diamonds, out on 25 April.

The new live version of ‘Once Upon a Time’ was recorded at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome on April 6th 2024, to a sold out audience of 17,000 people. A funky guitar-driven and heavy synth sounding soulful song accompanied by a passionate and powerful vocal from Jim Kerr, the recording captures one of the best live bands of their generation on thrilling form on a song much loved by their worldwide fanbase.

Live in The City of Diamonds captures the visceral excitement felt at a Simple Minds concert. In addition to ‘Once Upon a Time’, the album includes early pioneering tracks such as ‘Love Song’, ‘Sons and Fascination’ and ‘Sweat in Bullet’, live favoruite and tribute to the band’s hometown of Glasgow, ‘Waterfront’, tracks from their era-defining album New Gold Dream, including their first Top 20 UK single ‘Promised You a Miracle’, 1985’s international hit ‘Don’t You Forget About Me)’ and songs from the multi-platinum album Once Upon A Time (both celebrating their 40th anniversaries this year), 1989’s number one single ‘Belfast Child’, and songs from 1991’s Real Life album, including fan favourite ‘See The Lights’.

Live in The City of Diamonds completes the triptych of the Live in The City series dating back to 1987. It is the perfect summation of Simple Minds current live prowess and the ever-evolving sound of a remarkable band, which features the extraordinary talents of lifelong members and friends Jim Kerr (vocals) and Charlie Burchill (lead guitar), with Gordy Goudie (rhythm guitar), Ged Grimes (bass), Cherisse Osei (drums), Erik Ljunggren (keyboards) and Sarah Brown (vocals).

Live in The City of Diamonds formats:

2 x CD Media Book: features 24 tracks and a 24-page book including exclusive photos and tour notes written by Jim Kerr.

Double black vinyl: 18-tracks, housed in gatefold sleeve with hi spec finish.

Specialist Retail Exclusive Vinyl: Double clear / glitter vinyl housed in gatefold sleeve with hi spec finish.

Simple Minds

Tracklists:
CD Media book:

CD1

1. Waterfront
2. Love Song
3. Sons And Fascination
4. Sweat In Bullet
5. This Fear Of Gods
6. Let There Be Love
7. She’s A River
8. Once Upon A Time
9. Glittering Prize
10. New Gold Dream
11. Promised You A Miracle
12. Belfast Child

CD2
1. Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
2. See The Lights
3. Book Of Brilliant Things
4. Don’t You (Forget About Me)
5. Alive And Kicking
6. Sanctify Yourself
7. Vision Thing
8. The American
9. Solstice Kiss
10. Premonition
11. Hunter And The Hunted
12. Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel

Vinyl:

Side A:
1. Waterfront
2. Love Song
3. Sons And Fascination
4. Sweat In Bullet
5. This Fear Of Gods

Side B:
1. Let There Be Love
2. She’s A River
3. Once Upon A Time
4. Glittering Prize
5. New Gold Dream

Side C:
1. Promised You A Miracle
2. Belfast Child
3. Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)
4. See The Lights
Side D:
1. Book Of Brilliant Things
2. Don’t You (Forget About Me)
3. Alive And Kicking
4. Sanctify Yourself

Simple Minds

Pre-order Simple Minds – Live in the City of Diamonds.

Following the completion last year of the first part of their hugely successful Global Tour (their largest tour since 1985), this spring the band will undertake an extensive tour of Latin America, performing shows in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, followed by 24 dates throughout the US and Canada.

These dates will be followed by a series of UK and Ireland summer shows, commencing with a very special one-off hometown show at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park on 27th June, where the band will perform their iconic 1985 album Once Upon A Time in its entirety to celebrate its 40th anniversary, along with a selection of their greatest hits. Special guests will include Future Islands, KT Tunstall and Hamish Hawk.

27th June Bellahouston, Glasgow
28th June Lincoln Castle
29th June Southampton Summer Sessions
1st July Trinity Summer Series, Dublin
3rd July Bedford Summer Sessions
6th July Lytham Festival, Lytham St. Annes *Already on sale
7th July Live At Piece Hall, Halifax
8th July Derby Summer Sessions

Throughout the rest of July, Simple Minds will head to play concerts across Europe.

Ticket link: https://www.simpleminds.com/tour/

 

 

Xsnoize Author
Mark Millar is the founder of XS Noize and host of the XS Noize Podcast, where he interviews top music artists and emerging talent. Known for insightful, in-depth conversations, Mark brings a passionate, fan-first approach to music journalism. Favourite album: Achtung Baby by U2. Follow on X: @mark_xsnoize.

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