Another great concert at the Fire Station which is proving to be an excellent hometown venue. And with two of my favourite 1980s bands.
Support came from the semi psychedelic music of the Icicle Works. Now, I was a big fan of the Icicle Works during the 1980s and saw them perform several times in that period. Ian McNabb has kept The Icicle Works flag flying in recent years performing their material as a solo artist. However, this was the first time in 25 years that he and original bassist Chris Layhe have played together.
So, the lineup I saw was this duo of McNabb and Layhe and it was great to see them together again. My favourite song is “Love Is a Wonderful Colour” which closed the set. A great support act, worthy of headline status in their own right.
Bought myself a lovely lyric sheet for “Love Is a Wonderful Colour” which Ian and Chris kindly signed for me. Setlist: Hollow Horse; Little Girl Lost; Evangeline; Out of Season; Starry Blue Eyed Wonder; Understanding (Country) Jane; Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream); Love Is a Wonderful Colour
Big Country formed in Dunfermline, Fife, in 1981. The band’s music incorporates Scottish folk music, their guitar-driven sound resembling the Celtic tones of bagpipes and fiddles. The band’s classic lineup between 1982 and 2000 consisted of Stuart Adamson (vocals, guitar) Bruce Watson (guitar) Tony Butler (bass guitar) and Mark Brzezicki (drums).
Following Adamson’s death in 2001, Big Country reformed in 2007, with the surviving members. Between 2010 and 2013, they also reformed with Mike Peters of The Alarm on lead vocals. Since then Big Country has continued with two of the original members (Watson and Brzezicki) and Simon Hough on vocals.
Steeltown was the second studio album by Big Country, recorded at ABBA’s Polar Studios in Stockholm. Released in 1984 Bruce Watson remembers: “We started work on Steeltown back in June 1984 at Abba’s studio. My Dad was a miner, so what we did was knuckle down to hard work for six weeks”. The album was based around the steel industry in Corby, Northamptonshire which was mainly populated by Scottish workers. The album went straight to number 1 in the UK album charts.
They have recruited an excellent new guitarist whose playing gives homage to the late, great Stuart Adamson. To my shame I am not familiar with Steeltown (although I probably saw them on the tour to promote the album). It was great to hear their music again. Particularly as they also performed great personal favourites such as: “Look Away” And “In a Big Country”. They concluded their set with “Fields of Fire” incorporating another great Celtic song “Whiskey in the Jar”. An excellent end to an excellent evening.
Many thanks to Elaine for the photos and Chris for manipulating the site.
Setlist: Flame Of The West; East Of Eden; Steeltown; Where The Rose Is Sown; Come Back To Me; Tall Ships Go; Winter Sky; Rain Dance; The Great Divide; Just A Shadow; Look Away; Chance; In A Big Country; Wonderland; Fields Of Fire / Whiskey In The Jar
Encore: Restless Natives
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by TerriersFan on April 7, 2024 at 2:42 pm
Sounds like another good gig at a great venue, Peter.
I’ve never been a huge fan of either band and passed up the chance to see BC close to me.
Roger 🤘👍
Posted by vintagerock on April 7, 2024 at 4:50 pm
Yes it was a great night overall Roger. Happy days Peter
Posted by ciarant1step on April 7, 2024 at 8:41 pm
Sunderland must have a lot of great venues! I don’t know the Icicle Works’ music but I used to love the Big Country guitar sound and the songs. Nice to think that Stuart Adamson is still remembered.
Posted by vintagerock on April 8, 2024 at 7:26 pm
Hi Ciaran, I recommend you listen to Love is a Beautiful Colour by Icicle Works. Yes the Big Country Stuart Adamson legacy lives on. Peter
Posted by treetopflier2009 on April 8, 2024 at 12:48 pm
In a Big Country, dreams stay with you, like a lovers voice, on the mountainside…….marvellous!!
Posted by vintagerock on April 8, 2024 at 7:09 pm
Well said my friend. Who saw the fences falling, Who broke the plough man’s bread, Who heard the winter calling, Who wore the tailor’s thread. (Harvest Home, Big Country)