BETHLEHEM - SIMPLE MINDS LIVE TONIGHT
Almost six months since the dates were first announced, at last we get to start what will be our most extensive North American Tour in too many years.
As posted yesterday, we couldn't be happier with a situation that tonight finds Simple Minds live at Sands, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It is a venue with every necessary facility, and we put it to full use yesterday during a day long rehearsal.
Why rehearse - you might well ask? After all, we have already been out touring extensively through Europe/UK over the recent summer months? This being North America however, and considering how little we have toured here in comparison to other places, we owe it to our fans here to go the extra mile.
That means you should get there early - as we will play two sets each night - with a twenty minute interval. (Tea and cucumber sandwiches backstage for us then?)
More seriously, it lets us add a handful more songs to the recent set, including various that we have not performed for years.
In addition to that we will try and vary the set a little each night, if possible. Try to make each night somewhat unique.
What more to say then than to ask all our fans worldwide to wish us well tonight, with the opening date of the tour.
And to say thanks to all who plan on coming to see Simple Minds wherever we turn out to perform over the next six weeks in North America.
In return we will aim to give nothing less than our best!
Why rehearse? Cause you’re going to slip Speed Your Love To Me into the set for my birthday. I’ll bring white chocolate cake in return. You know you want it... 😉😆. Best of luck with the tour!
New Gold Dream is being performed on the US leg of the tour? I’m now more excited than ever for the Chicago show. 🤩
Seen you 3 times this year! All amazing gigs! Those girls are amazing!!! You deserve Allan Water fish and chips on me....gives a shout when yir back!!!!
Oooooh - Up on the Catwalk ❤️ You lucky people going to the show! Have a fabulous opener, I'm sure it will be every bit as good as it looks, and more 🤩😍😎
Great set list! We were in Bethlehem, PA a couple weeks. We also walked around Leigh University campus. Neat city. Love how they are using the steel stacks for history purposes. So looking forward to the Oct. 5th show. That is how my husband and I are celebrating our 15 year wedding anniversary! Cheers on a successful tour.
I wish you were coming to Florida. It's a huge state and can take 8-12 hours just to reach the northern border and not many bands venture down here.
Can't say enough good about SM. Love that you posted this! I also love the idea of adding variety each night - SM catalogue is so extensive, there could be 20+ sets....but out of respect (and overall health) for the band, 2 full sets is enough. Missed "Book of Brilliant Things", "She's a River" and "Hypnotized" back in 2013 NYC concert so
Yeeeeesss! I spy my top 3 songs I was hoping for! Hunter and The Hunted, Hypnotized and Book of Brilliant Things! Can't wait for Milwaukee! 😍
Hope the show tonight is a HUGE success. I know it will be. As stated before in previous posts..see you in Atlanta on the 8th but for some strange reason my backstage pass seems to have gotten lost in the mail. HA HA
Good luck with the tour! The set list looks awesome! Can’t wait until I see you in Toronto! 😄
Wow! That set list!!!!!! Nov 3 in Dallas can't come soon enough 😍
If I may humbly influence the set list for Wednesday at Count Basie (how dare I!) I see Book of Brilliant things on there...that would be...amazing...
So upset I am missing this tour. It was great 5 years ago.
See you in Toronto soon 😍🇨🇦🎼🎹🎸
Will you play Belfast Child in Houston, please?
Great list, better than expected! Expect a lot of longtime fans going back to NY WLIR radio station days.
Fantastic Set List wish I was there 😘
All the best as you embark on this tour! I am counting the days until I get the chance to see you!
See you in Milwaukee and then here in Chicago. Can't wait.
Australia please.
I like the chosen songs. Once again good luck tonight.
anybody in the area of SANDS ...This is a must ! Saw them last time in the states.. GREAT SHOW (too bad for me)
🥰😁I am so stoked! Nashville 15 days away!!!
Loving this set list! I can't wait until October 5th!
Have a great gig
THIS IS NOT AMERICA!
It is actually. And as with all countries, seemingly there are countries within countries.
The views I saw just last Sunday during my morning walk through Manhattan, have nothing in common with the landscape I witnessed during today's early morning walk through the town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
And yet, although I come from another continent, much of what I saw today reminded me so much of the views that I witnessed while growing up in the West of Scotland in the 60's and 70'.
That stands to reason given that Bethlehem, ( Where Simple Minds are due to start their North American tour in less that 24 hours from now ) just like my hometown of Glasgow and the surrounding central belt of Scotland - became a centre of heavy industry and trade during the industrial revolution. The accompanying photo that I took this morning, easily makes me think of an area only minutes from the street where both guitarist, Charlie Burchill, and I were raised.
Unlike the States. In the UK they did not refer to areas such as ours as the "rustbelt". And yet all around us deindustrialisation had, during our childhoods, gradually set in among many of the surrounding towns and communities near Glasgow. Resultantly much of the landscape we witnessed at home, started to take on an image of places that the modern/computerised world - had left behind.
That reality caused much pain to so many during our childhood years. Job losses and unemployment caused never-ending heartbreak in equal measure.
( Simple Minds song - Soul Crying Out - was written specifically about this subject.)
Nevertheless, I was quite thrilled this morning. To find myself so far from home, and yet spiritually speaking, somehow feeling utterly close to a time and place that produced me - and so many of my generation - who still managed to succeed in someways against odds that were stacked high against us.
My trek ended with me taking a hike up towards Lehigh University, located on South Mountain on the city's South Side. It has 5,000 undergraduates and 2,100 graduate students, some of whom passed me by - taking no notice of this tourist within their midst.
I however could feel their energy, on this already quite chilly morning. Doing so, it dawned on me that the future lay with them, and I have hope that they will succeed.
Leading then to the possibility that this town/area that became world famous once before - could be reborn so forcefully once again.
I have to say that it felt great to be in America this morning. And I am so happy that we are here in the heartlands, and very much ready to go to work tomorrow night!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN1h5av2Bj0
Mr Kerr, this is part of my admiration for you. You keep touring sharing your thoughts about what you see and feel. Respect for the time you spend expressing your inner perception of your surrounding. Love Simple Minds.
I love how your stories set the scene. My childhood memories are that of a Coal mining scene set in Bestwood Nottingham. So blessed to have gone back there this year. In fact it was very overwhelming and left me somewhat emotional. You never forget the place where you were born its instilled into your heart and soul.
Now I know something of Bethlehem in America. This one of the reasons I enjoy following SM, beyond the wonderful music, it's the travel and learning about the culture, being brought to us by a likewise curious frontman. Thanks for the brain nourishment, Jim. 🙂
It's heart-warming to read about the recovery of cities and towns after the dark days of post-war deindustrialisation. Glasgow is a leading example of a city successfully changing its economy. It's rebirth into a dynamic cultural and culinary hub should place it high on the list of places to visit in Scotland. Beautiful architecture too. It's certainly on my list, having only driven through it on the way to Ayr many years ago! Not least of all, it's apparently 'the world's friendliest city'.... with a 'steely exterior but soft at heart' . Not a bad title to have! peoplemakeglasgow.com/visiting/top-reasons-to-visit-glasgow
This is not America. My favourite Bowie song, he did not write it but his voice is exquisite. When I lived in London a pub near me had it on the jukebox, ahh! Remember them? I would put my money in, on repeat till the barman kindly asked me to desist. Jim Kerr your thoughts and stories are very humble and I think there is a touch of Wellness in your storytelling. I can tell you it works! I only smile when I read what say.
Jim... countries like yours have instituted "de-industrialization" as you put it yet still use a lot of those ores and metals for burning in power plants, homes and construction. --- So if Scotland doesn't make those things but still uses them, who do you expect to be digging and processing these metals and ores? Hence, we sell to other countries coal and metal ores.
I always enjoy your thoughtful posts. I wish you guys were coming to Cincinnati!
Complimenti Jim and thanks for sharing one of the most struggling SM tracks for me. ^_^ The industrial cities like Glasgow or which could be this Bethlem or as it was my Turin (the most industrial in northern Italy that in the '60s ..70' which gave a job to thousands of Italians with its automobiles factories …FIAT now FCA) have generated for ages feelings of profound melancholy into the people, despite the hard work should have generated (…later) that enormous progress which arrived indeed. Perhaps for Glasgow it arrived later than for us. SFY marked (Signed?) me forever Jim. Each lyrics is pure poetry and it really could realize...over wonderful symphonies the feelings that people had been living at that time. and me was one of them that's why i adored it. "And I say, I do not know / Maybe I do not care / What I know is / I gotta get out of here / And I'm going / Going any day / Some sweet day ... " how many tears…. Grazie . Enjoy your night, Adri
Funny, I just read a story today about millennials moving back to the rust belt. Can’t find it now though
I'm so appreciative of your travelogues as the band tours and, oddly enough, am looking so forward to your thoughts as you take in the States during this fractious time. Your fresh viewpoint is welcome and appreciated as our American political tribes continue to dig deeper holes rather than remembering what brought them together in the first place. But music is a force of unification and this band is powerful. Stay safe and stay loud.
Welcome to the heartland Jim..Many cities like Bethlehem, PA around the midwest. The reasons vary, mostly poltical but sometimes its due to technologies downsizing and restructuring over the years...I myself have worked in the steel industry for 25 yrs and make airline engine components in a very high-tech company...but sacrifices were made along the way too..Anywho, welcome to the U.S.and let the gigs begin..Cant wait to see my favorite band in the world...SIMPLE MINDS.
Welcome to America, Jim! Been waiting years to see you play this side of the pond - Major bucket list concert will be checked off tonight! While you are in that area make sure you take a walk around the stacks - there's a nice little walkway and steps right next to them - with a lot of interesting historical information. It's a must-see!
All the best for this next leg of the tour and we keep, us in Europe, waiting for tue next phase of SM! Thabks to you I learnt to expect every time the unexpectable! Thats amazing. Love SM
I love your adventures and you taking time out to share this with us. Its so calming and can imagine u in your hat just strolling by hearing the accent and taking it all in as ppl do there thing. If only they knew who they had just walked past. Must feel nice just strolling around taking in the views and then preparing for a gig...wow u truly are amazing and blessed.enjoy xx
yes I see the steelworks in the distance - reminds of working as a Apprentice Electrician in the late 70's at Ravenscraig steel works , Motherwell , now of course like many factories, sadly gone .
I’m minutes away from Bethlehem and the Steel Stacks have become a *monument and reminder of a time when this little town was indeed booming. Hopefully you had a chance to stroll down by the stacks. It really is a cool area. I’m so happy you got to see it and that it made you feel connected to home. Bethlehem is so quaint. Thank you for sharing your story and good luck tomorrow. I’ve been a fan since forever ❤️
It was beautiful reading that, my mom was born and raised in Pennsylvania, really nice picture, wonderful Jim.
I’ll be there tomorrow. Love going to Bethlehem for shows at the Sands and seeing the old steel factory outside
That photo could be Clydeside! ❤️ very much enjoy learning the back stories behind the tracks, good luck with the tour
Can’t wait for your show in Chicago!! My first ever concert was seeing you supported by Bundu Boys, Silencers & Texas at Meadowbank... Then a few years later in Aberdeen and the last time was in Berlin around 2001... it’s been a long wait!
Hi There !! We miss all the Simple Minds guys !!Please come back again to Mexico City !!God bless ever my friends 🙏🏻🎸🎸🎤🙏🏻🙏🏻🏴🇬🇧🏴🏴🇲🇽🇲🇽
We all hope the next generation will give us good news for the next world. I sometimes feel we haven't been good stewards of the current time. Perhaps your songs can inspire yet another generation to be more.
I’ve been to your hometown a couple of times, thank you for sharing a bit of your history and your thoughts. Welcome to America! 3 more sleeps 🎶
Can’t WAIT for the meet and greet in Chicago! I hope you get to explore all of our country’s great cities and attractions on this tour. We’re thrilled to welcome you.
Video
Simple Minds are proud to announce a brand new studio album with some very special tour dates!
‘Walk Between Worlds’ is OUT NOW.
Live Shows
Sep
24
Mon
2018
Simple Minds play Sands Casino – Bethlehem, PA, USA
VIP Ticket Packages – Meet The Band
Simple Minds are delighted to announce that they will tour North America in September and October 2018, playing two full sets featuring iconic songs spanning their whole career and including tracks from the new album Walk Between Worlds!
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 27th April at 10.00am Venue Local Time.
NOTE: There will be a special fan pre-sale from Wednesday 25th of April at 10.00am (venue local time) until 10.00pm on Thursday. To access the pre-sale, click the black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and enter the code: WORLDS when prompted.
There will also be pre-sales held directly by Ticketmaster (excluding DC, Milwaukee, and Denver) and Spotify on 26th of April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time. These are accessible using the same black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and entering the code: TMSIMPLE for Ticketmaster and: MINDS18 for Spotify when prompted.
‘Walk Between Worlds’ Meet & Greet Experiences and ‘Sense of Discovery’ Soundcheck Experiences will also be available. Includes a chance to meet Simple Minds, an invitation to the pre-show soundcheck and Q&A session, a signed show poster, and much more! Click here for more details.
***Tickets go on general sale from Friday 27th April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time***
Doors: TBC
Simple Minds: TBC
Get The Album Now
“We would like to remind all of our fans and members that despite hearing announcements elsewhere regarding possible concert performances etc, it is only when the date is announced here at simpleminds.com that you can be sure the information is 100% official and that contracts have been agreed” – Simple Minds
Can’t get the tickets you’re looking for? Try the Official Simple Minds Twickets Page where fans sell tickets at face value. Say NO to ticket touts. Visit Twickets Now !
Sep
26
Wed
2018
Simple Minds play Count Basie Theatre – Red Bank, NJ, USA
VIP Ticket Packages – Meet The Band
Simple Minds are delighted to announce that they will tour North America in September and October 2018, playing two full sets featuring iconic songs spanning their whole career and including tracks from the new album Walk Between Worlds!
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 27th April at 10.00am Venue Local Time.
NOTE: There will be a special fan pre-sale from Wednesday 25th of April at 10.00am (venue local time) until 10.00pm on Thursday. To access the pre-sale, click the black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and enter the code: WORLDS when prompted.
There will also be pre-sales held directly by Ticketmaster (excluding DC, Milwaukee, and Denver) and Spotify on 26th of April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time. These are accessible using the same black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and entering the code: TMSIMPLE for Ticketmaster and: MINDS18 for Spotify when prompted.
‘Walk Between Worlds’ Meet & Greet Experiences and ‘Sense of Discovery’ Soundcheck Experiences will also be available. Includes a chance to meet Simple Minds, an invitation to the pre-show soundcheck and Q&A session, a signed show poster, and much more! Click here for more details.
***Tickets go on general sale from Friday 27th April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time***
Doors: TBC
Simple Minds: TBC
Get The Album Now
“We would like to remind all of our fans and members that despite hearing announcements elsewhere regarding possible concert performances etc, it is only when the date is announced here at simpleminds.com that you can be sure the information is 100% official and that contracts have been agreed” – Simple Minds
Can’t get the tickets you’re looking for? Try the Official Simple Minds Twickets Page where fans sell tickets at face value. Say NO to ticket touts. Visit Twickets Now !
Sep
28
Fri
2018
Simple Minds play M Telus – Montreal, QC, Canada
VIP Ticket Packages – Meet The Band
Simple Minds are delighted to announce that they will tour North America in September and October 2018, playing two full sets featuring iconic songs spanning their whole career and including tracks from the new album Walk Between Worlds!
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 27th April at 10.00am Venue Local Time.
NOTE: There will be a special fan pre-sale from Wednesday 25th of April at 10.00am (venue local time) until 10.00pm on Thursday. To access the pre-sale, click the black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and enter the code: WORLDS when prompted.
There will also be pre-sales held directly by Ticketmaster (excluding DC, Milwaukee, and Denver) and Spotify on 26th of April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time. These are accessible using the same black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and entering the code: TMSIMPLE for Ticketmaster and: MINDS18 for Spotify when prompted.
‘Walk Between Worlds’ Meet & Greet Experiences and ‘Sense of Discovery’ Soundcheck Experiences will also be available. Includes a chance to meet Simple Minds, an invitation to the pre-show soundcheck and Q&A session, a signed show poster, and much more! Click here for more details.
***Tickets go on general sale from Friday 27th April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time***
Doors: TBC
Simple Minds: TBC
Get The Album Now
“We would like to remind all of our fans and members that despite hearing announcements elsewhere regarding possible concert performances etc, it is only when the date is announced here at simpleminds.com that you can be sure the information is 100% official and that contracts have been agreed” – Simple Minds
Can’t get the tickets you’re looking for? Try the Official Simple Minds Twickets Page where fans sell tickets at face value. Say NO to ticket touts. Visit Twickets Now !
Sep
29
Sat
2018
Simple Minds play Budweiser Gardens – London, ON, Canada
VIP Ticket Packages – Meet The Band
Simple Minds are delighted to announce that they will tour North America in September and October 2018, playing two full sets featuring iconic songs spanning their whole career and including tracks from the new album Walk Between Worlds!
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 27th April at 10.00am Venue Local Time.
NOTE: There will be a special fan pre-sale from Wednesday 25th of April at 10.00am (venue local time) until 10.00pm on Thursday. To access the pre-sale, click the black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and enter the code: WORLDS when prompted.
There will also be pre-sales held directly by Ticketmaster (excluding DC, Milwaukee, and Denver) and Spotify on 26th of April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time. These are accessible using the same black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and entering the code: TMSIMPLE for Ticketmaster and: MINDS18 for Spotify when prompted.
‘Walk Between Worlds’ Meet & Greet Experiences and ‘Sense of Discovery’ Soundcheck Experiences will also be available. Includes a chance to meet Simple Minds, an invitation to the pre-show soundcheck and Q&A session, a signed show poster, and much more! Click here for more details.
***Tickets go on general sale from Friday 27th April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time***
Doors: TBC
Simple Minds: TBC
Get The Album Now
“We would like to remind all of our fans and members that despite hearing announcements elsewhere regarding possible concert performances etc, it is only when the date is announced here at simpleminds.com that you can be sure the information is 100% official and that contracts have been agreed” – Simple Minds
Can’t get the tickets you’re looking for? Try the Official Simple Minds Twickets Page where fans sell tickets at face value. Say NO to ticket touts. Visit Twickets Now !
Sep
30
Sun
2018
Simple Minds play Sony Centre – Toronto, ON, Canada
VIP Ticket Packages – Meet The Band
Simple Minds are delighted to announce that they will tour North America in September and October 2018, playing two full sets featuring iconic songs spanning their whole career and including tracks from the new album Walk Between Worlds!
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 27th April at 10.00am Venue Local Time.
NOTE: There will be a special fan pre-sale from Wednesday 25th of April at 10.00am (venue local time) until 10.00pm on Thursday. To access the pre-sale, click the black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and enter the code: WORLDS when prompted.
There will also be pre-sales held directly by Ticketmaster (excluding DC, Milwaukee, and Denver) and Spotify on 26th of April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time. These are accessible using the same black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and entering the code: TMSIMPLE for Ticketmaster and: MINDS18 for Spotify when prompted.
‘Walk Between Worlds’ Meet & Greet Experiences and ‘Sense of Discovery’ Soundcheck Experiences will also be available. Includes a chance to meet Simple Minds, an invitation to the pre-show soundcheck and Q&A session, a signed show poster, and much more! Click here for more details.
***Tickets go on general sale from Friday 27th April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time***
Doors: TBC
Simple Minds: TBC
Get The Album Now
“We would like to remind all of our fans and members that despite hearing announcements elsewhere regarding possible concert performances etc, it is only when the date is announced here at simpleminds.com that you can be sure the information is 100% official and that contracts have been agreed” – Simple Minds
Can’t get the tickets you’re looking for? Try the Official Simple Minds Twickets Page where fans sell tickets at face value. Say NO to ticket touts. Visit Twickets Now !
