Friday, 8 April 2022

Restless Natives (Big Country Tribute), RocknRollas, Paisley. Friday 8th April, 2022


I'd purchased tickets for Big Country, playing at this venue later in the year, and received these tickets for free. I wasn't bothered about going but a pal was home from down south and it seemed apt to have a catch-up at the gig. It was free after all, even if the lager prices were extortionate. 

We arrived early and were warmly greeted by the legendary Jackie Mills in reception, flattering me by saying even if I hadn't tickets she'd have added me to her guest list. She's an icon of the local music scene.  

Inside, Kenny bought the drinks and we grabbed two comfortable seats at the side with a clear view of the stage. The band came on at around 8.30 pm and played until 10.50 pm. As you can imagine, that is a lot of Big Country songs and I'm more of a greatest hits fan, not so much a diehard, so a lot of the material was obscure to me. When the lead singer said they'd promised to play The Crossing in full, I didn't know if that referred to the song or an album but realised pretty quickly it was the latter.

I was a little disappointed by the sound. Big Country have a distinctive guitar sound and tonight the band seemed more bass and drum-heavy with the vocals swamping the guitars at times. When the guitars were clear they sounded great and the singer both looked and sounded like Stuart Adamson, probably more so than the current lineup of Big Country. Occasionally, when I didn't recognise the song, my mind drifted onto other artists I'd like to see play here, like Iron Maiden or the Sisters of Mercy, tribute acts obviously, such was the effect of the bass and drum heaviness. 

The venue itself is fabtastic (that's a typo but I'm keeping it), an old church that was converted into a retail unit then converted again into a bar and performance space. With only about fifty people in attendance, it was difficult to judge the atmosphere properly but I reckon I'll be returning and not just for Big Country.

Of course, any gig, even one with such a low attendance will still have idiots. This was during the gig. He returned twice, moving on quickly each time, fortunately. 

Come on, man - I may be a wallflower but I'm not invisible - have some respect.

Ticket Price: Free with purchase of tickets for Big Country. 


No setlist so here are some pictures instead:








  

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