Review

*A triumph of revival and relevance that proves Scotland's most enduring musical export still has plenty to offer* Four decades into their career, Simple Minds have delivered what might be their most compelling live document yet. "Live in the City of Diamonds" captures the Glasgow veterans in remarkably rejuvenated form, proving that Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill's creative partnership still sparkles with the same intensity that propelled them from art-rock obscurity to stadium-filling superstardom. Recorded during their triumphant appearance at Birmingham's NEC Arena (the "City of Diamonds" nickname a nod to the area's jewelry quarter), this live album offers a masterclass in how veteran acts can honour their legacy whilst remaining vital in the present. The setlist artfully navigates Simple Minds' extensive catalogue, from early post-punk curiosities to their imperial mid-80s commercial peak and beyond. What's immediately striking is Kerr's voice – weathered certainly, but deployed with remarkable control and emotional intelligence. Where once he might have relied on sheer power, he now knows precisely when to hold back and when to unleash, lending fresh pathos to familiar material. Burchill's guitar work remains the band's secret weapon, alternating between atmospheric textures and urgent riffs with consummate grace. The current line-up delivers these songs with muscular precision yet maintains the essential spaciousness that characterized the band's best work. "Waterfront" still surges with primal energy, its minimalist bassline echoing around the arena like a heartbeat, while "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" retains its ethereal shimmer. Particularly impressive is how the band have reclaimed their early material. Pre-commercial breakthrough tracks like "The American" and "I Travel" sound remarkably contemporary, their angular rhythms and electronic elements feeling oddly prescient in today's post-punk revival landscape. This is a band reconnecting with their experimental roots rather than simply recycling greatest hits. Of course, the anthems that made them household names receive rapturous responses. "Don't You (Forget About Me)" prompts a mass singalong that nearly drowns out Kerr, while "Alive and Kicking" demonstrates why they were once U2's most credible competitors in the emotive rock stakes. Refreshingly, these stadium-sized moments never feel cynical or perfunctory – there's genuine joy in their delivery. The inclusion of material from their more recent albums provides evidence that Simple Minds aren't merely trading on nostalgia. These newer compositions stand proudly alongside the classics, sharing their DNA while pushing forward into different territories. Perhaps most importantly, this live document captures what's often lost in discussions about Simple Minds – a sense of community and connection. The interplay between band and audience throughout suggests a mutual understanding that transcends mere entertainment. "Live in the City of Diamonds" serves as both celebration and statement of intent from a band who could easily coast on past glories but choose instead to remain creatively engaged. In an era where many of their contemporaries have become heritage acts or disappeared entirely, Simple Minds continue to remind us why they mattered in the first place – and why they still do.

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