Igudesman & Joo Diary 10: Simple Minds - Charlie Burchill

Backstage at the Night of the Proms, Charlie Burchill of Simple Minds joins Igudesman & Joo in another Igudesman & Joo Video Blog

Read more on the SoSimpleMinded.com Forum:

• Charlie Burchill Backstage with Igudesman and Joo at NOTP
• NOTP Artist Profile: Igudesman & Joo

Jim Kerr on the ITV1 show 'Loose Women' (19.11.2008)

Jim Kerr will appear on the ITV1 show Loose Women at 12:30 GMT on 19.11.2008

The Pussycat Dolls perform their news single and Jim Kerr chats to Jackie Brambles, Coleen Nolan and Jane McDonald

Discuss this on the SoSimpleMinded.com Forum: Jim Kerr on 'Loose Women' (19.11.2008)

Listen again to Jim's interview on Absolute Radio

Listen again to the Ben Jones interview with Jim Kerr on Absolute Radio

Discuss this on the SoSimpleMinded.com Forum: Jim Kerr on Wednesday Night Live with Ben Jones

Igudesman & Joo, Tour Diary 5: Simple Minds - Jim Kerr

Backstage at the Night of the Proms, Jim Kerr of Simple Minds joins Igudesman & Joo in another Igudesman & Joo Video Blog

Read more on the SoSimpleMinded.com Forum:

• Jim Kerr Backstage with Igudesman & Joo at NOTP
• NOTP Artist Profile: Igudesman & Joo

Jim Kerr on Absolute Radio

There is a Simple Minds Interview on Absolute Radio: Wednesday Night Live with Ben Jones on 12 November 2008 from 10pm (UK).

Follow the link for details on how to Listen to Absolute Radio

Discuss this on the SoSimpleMinded.com Forum: Jim Kerr on Wednesday Night Live with Ben Jones

Latest Simple Minds Diaries / News

• Enthusiasm! (12.11.08)
• Amazing Grace! (07.11.08)
• Night of the Proms (01.11.2008)
• Elected! (27.10.2008)
• "We Don't Need This Fascist Groove Thaaang!" (19.10.2008)
• Lederhosen ! (13.10.2008)
• Ballsy and Atmospheric Pop (05.10.2008)
• Cash for Kids Gig Dec 7th ABC1 Glasgow (03.10.2008)
• Dream Within A Dream (22.09.2008)
• Here We Go Again! (13.09.2008)

NOTP Update

Thanks to Ollix for the photo

Simple Minds proves to be a worthy headliner still. The Scottish group celebrates its 30th anniversary with a surprising set, that is kicked off with 'Sanctify Yourself'. Jim Kerr hasn't lost any of his charisma and during 'Waterfront', a song written for venues like this one, the singer plays the audience in a way only Bono can emulate. An intimate 'Belfast Child' and a highly festive and massively sung along 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' make you wonder how the anniversary edition of the Proms next year is going to be able to top this.

[De Morgen, 27/10/2008]

Thanks to Lore for the photo

Now, how can we disagree with what one of Belgium's leading newspapers has to say about Simple Minds' performance at Night of The Proms? Or with any of the raving reviews they received in the Belgian press? Believe us, we tried! There were the first night jitters and Jim's little slip during Don't You on opening night, but these were eclipsed by an all round stunning performance! The magical intro of Sanctify Yourself, which is rapidly becoming a NOTP classic in the way Belfast Child already is, builds up the crowd's anticipation perfectly, while the new arrangement of Waterfront works extremely well and gets the audience to their feet instantly (the few people who had remained seated, that is). And let's be honest, you can never fully appreciate the 'regular' version of Belfast Child after you've heard it at the Proms; it's a song that was destined to be brought with a full symphonic orchestra! Finishing the short set with around 17,000 people singing along to Don't You Forget About Me, was a great end to what's very close to a perfect night out!

Log onto the SoSimpleMinded.com Forum to:

• get acquainted with the NOTP format and read detailed reviews of the entire NOTP experience, including the great performances of Sinéad O'Connor, Live, Midge Ure, The Angels in Harlem Gospel Choir, Igudesman & Joo, Gunter Verspecht (Stash) and Tom Helsen.

• watch pictures, videos, interviews, etc.

• find out what all the fuss is about Jim's new shirt… and join the campaign to get it on the official merchandise stalls for the upcoming UK Tour.

NOTP Competition (21.10.08)

With the start of the NOTP season, we are in a particular good mood!

So we thought we'd throw a Night of The Proms Competition your way! This time we'll be giving away a surprise NOTP goodie bag!

All you've got to do is answer the question below. Please note that the competition is only open to SoSimpleMinded.com Forum members and it closes on the 20th November! The winner will be picked randomly from the correct answers; only one entry per forum member!

Question:

At the Night of the Proms, Simple Minds share the bill with Sinéad O'Connor. But this is not the only connection between the two! Which Simple Minds member has also worked with Sinéad in the past?

Saturday Night Live

In his latest Diary, Elected, Jim Kerr referred to theSaturday Night Live clip, "Obama Address", featuring "Bill Clinton" singing the Simple Minds hit "Dont' You Forget About Me".

Discuss on the SoSimpleMinded.com Forum: Elected(27.10.2008)

Fourgoodmen Tickets: Buy via Paypal at Fourgoodmen Shop

The Fourgoodmen Shop is now selling tickets for the gigs on the 4 and 28 December 2008 at the Classic Grand in Glasgow, UK.

Discuss this on the SoSimpleMinded.com Forum:

Fourgoodmen: 4 Dec 08 Classic Grand, Glasgow

and

Fourgoodmen: 28 Dec 08 Classic Grand, Glasgow

NOTP Update (22.10.2008)

The Night of the Proms season - yes, it is a season - is almost upon us!

The venue is ready and looks incredible, rehearsals are in full swing, the rumour mill talks about Waterfront replacing All The Things She Said, and no doubt Jim's gorgeous black claddagh shirt is being picked up at the dry cleaner's as we speak!

Thanks to Ollix for the photo

They are (almost) ready for it, but so are we! The season kicks off on Thursday evening with a private NOTP for their loyal sponsor Opel (but we've made sure we've got a couple of spies keeping an eye on things as well), while the big premiere is on Friday night. In the next couple of weeks, SoSimpleMinded.com will be the place to be when it comes to updates, reviews, pictures,... of the Night of the Proms experience, so make sure you check in regularly!

To read up on the latest news (rehearsals, meet ups,...) or to relive all the best moments from the Proms experience earlier in the year in Charleroi, log into the Forum.

However, those who've been there know better than anyone else: words fail to describe the magic of Night of the Proms! It's not too late to experience it yourself, but you need to hurry because tickets are flying out of the window!

Discuss this on the SoSimpleMinded.com Forum: Simple Minds NOTP(2008)

NOTP update: rehearsals are in full swing! (21.10.2008)

For the full (Dutch) text and some pics, head to the by now familiar blog of NOTP producer Jan Vereecke.

Here are some of the highlights:

• the rehearsals are in full swing, and Jim has the first rehearsal under his belt!Apparently the 'comic duo' Igudesman & Joo had the orchestra in fits of laughter, so that promises to be a real treat.

• the Angels in Harlem Gospel Choir has already made a lasting impression on the people involved with the Proms, and their performances promise to be spectacular. One of the songs they'll bring is Oh Happy Days.

• further rehearsals today, with a first run through tonight and then a 'general rehearsal', if you will, on wednesday evening, because the first showing of this years' performances will be on Thursday during a private NOTP for the people of Opel.

NOTP News Update (13.10.2008)

It's difficult to keep up with producer Jan Vereecke's blogs these days as he continues to give us a look behind the scenes and the preparations for NOTP.

Dutch speakers or people who know how to work an online translator program can check out the latest blog entries at http://notpblog.wordpress.com/.

These are the highlights:

• The running order and setlist has been finalized. Lots of variation in the program, which makes that - a few exceptions aside - there are never two successive songs by the same artist!

• Nearly all arrangements are finished (except for one of Sinéad's songs and a song from one of the surprise acts); and it seems the artists are very enthusiastic about them!

  This is what Ed from Live had to say:

  "These arrangements are awesome! On the I alone arrangement, I think the following edit will be good to do;At the downbeat of approx. 3:44-break down to just drums for 4 bars then into “oh now we took it back too far….” Same to end.Please tell franck I love these! And that he should call if this edit isn’t clear. Otherwise we are golden.Ek".

  The rehearsals will start in a week's time!

• Sinéad's pretty nervous about her appearance at the Proms and has rehearsed extensively: it's been years since she sang Troy live, but special vocal exercises helped her in hitting the high notes right (to much enjoyment of her kids apparently).

• The first edit of the James Bond footage is finished, but a request has been send to the States for some more video material.

• A 'local artist has been added to the Dutch bill: Erik Mesie (former singer of the Dutch band Toontje Lager) will bring a medley of his songs at the Dutch NOTP gigs.

• The ticket sales for the Antwerp gigs are soaring! In the latter half of September alone more than 10,000 tickets were sold! Hence another extra gig has been added in Antwerp (10th November), which makes that there are two extra gigs in comparison to last year.

  Just to give you an idea, the capacity of the venue varies between 13,780 to 17,000!

Stay tuned for more (almost daily) behind the scenes updates!

Discuss this on the SoSimpleMinded.com Forum

Sunday Mail: Simple Minds' Jim Kerr has a studio flashback (05.10.2008)

An article in the Sunday Mail about the "Cash for Kids" gig on 7 December 2008 in Glasgow.

Simple Minds Celebrate 30 Years with 'Cash for Kids' Concert (03.10.2008)

SoSimpleMinded.com T-shirt: 30 Years Live

As you all may know, we have been talking about making some SoSimpleMinded.com t-shirts for the upcoming 30th anniversary tour in November / December. Many designs were sent in and eventually the Staff have come up with a front and back design, which we hope you, will like.

Details of the design and costs can be found here.

We do not expect to make any money on this after deducting our costs for the shirts, packaging and postage, but if there is any left over, we intend to put it towards a childrens charity.

We will only order shirts for which we have received payments.

Friday 26th September is the last day to place your order and payments to come in

Orders will be posted during the last week of October.

If you have any questions please ask on the Forum.

SoSimpleMinded.com Staff