Brooklyn, New York’s Life of Agony have released a powerful new live video for their emotionally charged take on “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” the Simple Minds anthem immortalized in the 1985 movie The Breakfast Club.
Captured during the band’s European 30 Years Of Ugly anniversary tour, the performance marks a defining moment in Life Of Agony‘s legacy. While their studio version of the track appeared on 1995’s Ugly, the band had never actually performed it live — until now.
Honoring the spirit of the original while reshaping its DNA, Life Of Agony deliver a darker, heavier and more emotionally weighty version. What was once a shimmering ’80s new wave anthem becomes something raw and brooding in their hands — less prom-night nostalgia, more cathartic exorcism.
The video was filmed and directed by Leigh Brooks of Firebelly Films, a longtime collaborator who previously helmed multiple Life Of Agony videos as well as their acclaimed documentary, The Sound of Scars.
Brooks‘s immersive style drops viewers directly into the venue, amplifying the palpable connection between band and audience. On the audio side, guitarist Joey Z. handled recording, mixing and mastering duties, striking a balance between sonic clarity and the grit of a live room.
“Even though our studio version of ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ appears on Ugly, we had never performed the song live until the 30 Years Of Ugly anniversary tour,” bassist Alan Robert shared. “Bringing it to the stage after all these years — and experiencing the live energy of the crowd — made the song one of the highlights of the set every night.”
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