The skirl of Scottish rock will fill the air when a revitalised Big Country take the stage for two dates in the region.
Dunfermline’s finest first burst onto the scene in the early 80s when they hooked up with legendary producer Steve Lillywhite who, clearly impressed, helped them develop their instantly recognisable, anthemic sound with chart smashes ‘Fields of Fire,’ ‘Chance’ and ‘In A Big Country, ’ plus a much-lauded debut album The Crossing.
Original front man Stuart Adamson died in 2001 but the remaining original members – Bruce Watson (guitar), Tony Butler (bass) and drummer Mark Brzezicki – reunited in 2007 for a 25th anniversary tour with Butler gamely taking on lead vocals.
Three years later they were back in business properly adding Mike Peters (of The Alarm) as new lead vocalist/guitarist, plus Bruce’s son Jamie on additional guitar. Butler and Peters have since quit but Simon Hough has joined as a new effervescent front man and they have just added the experienced Scott Whitley on bass.
Big Country are about to headline an ’80s Invasion Tour, also featuring Curiosity Killed The Cat, Midge Ure and Nick Heyward, a show which arrives at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall on March 6. But before then there is a chance to catch them at smaller venue when they play at The Brindley Theatre in Runcorn on February 25.
