Scottish rock band Big Country are set to make their first appearance at the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway next week.
Guitarist Bruce Watson and the late Stuart Adamson, formed Big Country in 1981. They
were joined later that summer by drummer Mark Brzezicki and bass player Tony Butler,
the line-
The group were known for a string of hits such as In a Big Country, Fields of Fire, East of Eden and, the biggest UK hit, Look Away. In all they scored 17 top 30 singles in the UK and achieved five gold and platinum albums.
Adamson died in 2001 and the band subsequently reformed to mark their 25th anniversary, later joined by former Alarm singer Mike Peters who spent three years as frontman.
The new line-
The band have already played a number of UK dates this year, with a series of festivals planned, including a debut at the Hebridean Celtic Festival a week Friday, and then the Steeltown Tour, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Steeltown album release.
Bruce said: “It’s been a great year so far. Simon has fitted in well and the fans are really getting into his vocals.
““We just love working now with the new line up. We spent years not being Big Country and have a large catalogue to get through.”
He said he is looking forward to the festivals experience which is such a large part of a band’s schedule nowadays.
He added: “Festivals are always chaotic, basically wham bam, no sound check, hour long set then you are off. Then the next band goes on. It’s great fun and I do like to watch other acts.
“I am happy playing as many festivals as we can. HebCelt is a first for us so I can't wait to get up there and make a noise. We are really looking forward to playing in this beautiful part of the country.”
The HebCeltFest also feature headliners Levellers and Donnie Munro as well as leading artists including Cara Dillon, Rachel Sermanni, Duncan Chisholm, Cajun band Magnolia Sisters, from the US, and Canadian outfit Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys.
