Big Country, RocknRollas, Paisley. Friday 19th August, 2022

Tonight, I realised I don't like Big Country all that much. I like their hits but the rest of the songs do nothing for me. Not that this was a bad show. Far from it. I just wasn't in the best place to enjoy it, mentally or physically (crazy, stressful day at work and my gig location was middle/back of the hall so not a great view, with the stage being low and the venue being narrow), but the band played enthusiastically and with character, although only for less than an hour and a half. 

As usual, I had my audience gripes, particularly with the guy in the "I LOVE ROCK N ROLL T-shirt, whose finger whistles triggered my tinnitus and created a Pavlov's dog situation with me covering my ears whenever I saw his fingers move towards his mouth. Inconsiderate b'stard.

No piccies as I didn't take any. No point. Couldn't see much of the stage. I had no idea what the drummer looked like until he stood up at the end.

Ticket Price £30.

Big Country plus The Skids, Paisley Town Hall. Fri 17th Nov 2017.

A sold-out gig, stacked to the rafters, this one off (or possibly first of) show saw the two bands who share a mutual history take to the Paisley stage to blow the roof off (and other rock cliches).

I was expecting Big Country to be the main act, given the ticket said so, but it was not to be.

Big Country appeared first to play a rousing, chant-a-long set of oldies but goodies (now some 34 years old). The lead guitarist did most of the chat between songs, introducing the other band members and bantering, which was unusual as this role is normally adopted by the main singer. Not that the singer was shy. I think he was giving the senior band member his place. Anyway, I loved them but it could have been a bit longer (where have I heard that before?)

Then on came The Skids, often seen as a precursor to BG. Now, I didn't know much about them beforehand, except Richard Jobson (ponsy 80's tv presenter with a penchant for fancy suits and culture programmes) was previously in the band and they had a couple of famous hits ("Working for the Yankee Dollar" and "Into the Valley"). And Stuart Adamson was in both bands. It was, therefore, a surprise to see them as the main act, given, I thought, Big Country was the bigger band.

But after the first song, I understood why.

The Skids did blow the roof off with a chugging punk rock sound, as the energetic main man, Richard Jobson, danced and kicked and spun and sang and loved every minute. The crowd of mainly 40-50-year-olds went nuts, bouncing and clapping and jumping and singing along to the old numbers. The spirit of the late 70s/early 80s imbued us all as we became teenagers again (not in a 'Cocoon' way). I was surprised there weren't more cardiac arrests though.

The two Big Country guitarists were part of the band, performing twice on the night (did they get double money?), but this time the lead guitarist settled for more of a background role as Richard held court over the audience. Which he did very well.

Only complaint: it was too short and they finished with a new song that sounds like it was written by a 50-year-old (it rhymes 'fire' and 'desire'). It would have been better to end on 'Into the Valley', their most well-known hit and the most well-received song of the night.

But a brilliant gig nonetheless. And so nice to see so many familiar faces in the crowd.

Apologies to the nice ladies I stood up tonight for this gig. You know who you are. Another time.