Big Country at the Shepherds Bush Empire

Big Country at the Shepherds Bush Empire

Formed in the early 1980s, Big Country were one of the many groups to come out of the new wave, alternative and soft rock era alongside bands the likes of Simple Minds, U2 and Aztec Camera. Originating from Scotland, the band took musical influence from their Celtic roots and were popularly known for blending bagpipes and fiddles in their songs. Finding great success both in the charts and on a critical level, Big Country were extremely popular throughout most of the eighties, most notably in the UK. Although the band did find some success in the States with single “In a Big Country” from their debut album ‘The Crossing’. The song was one of the most played rock tracks on US radio in 1983 with it placing in the top 20 on the US billboard chart. The band continued throughout the nineties but more on a steady path in contrast to the musical ascension they experienced throughout the eighties. One of the first albums they released in this period was ‘No Place Like Home’, a difficult record for the band as conflict and tension grew between the group in its production and it’s poor show in the charts led to them being dropped from their record label. Despite this setback, Big Country soldiered on producing more albums and performing more low-key gigs as opening acts for more established and upcoming rock acts. Throughout this time though, lead singer Stuart Adamson struggled with alcoholism and this was seen as a major factor in the eventual divorce from his first wife. Adamson did marry again soon after but a number of years later, alcohol seemed to take its toll with the singer taking his own life in 2001 whilst under the influence. Adamson’s music lived on after his death as it was only a few years later that American punk band Green Day and rock giants U2 paid tribute to the man and his music with a cover of classic track “The Saints Are Coming” by Adamson’s pre-Big Country bands The Skids which was released as a charity single. 2007 saw the band reunite to celebrate 25 years in the industry and with this embarked on a small UK tour along with a new album. The years 2010 and 2011 saw the band active once again with a number of festival appearances, including the Isle of Wight, T in the Park and V Festival. Now in 2012, and Big Country still live on with original band members Tony Butler, Mark Brzezicki and Bruce Watson continuing as a group. Welcoming new additions in the form of Mike Peters and Bruce’s son Jamie Watson, the month of February has seen the band perform a number of gigs across the UK. Playing recently at venues in Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow, on Saturday 11th February 2012, the 02 Shepherds Bush Empire was the next venue for Big Country on this small UK tour. WinkBall video reporters Jessica and Laurent went down to the Shepherds Bush Empire to speak to Big Country fans and find out what had brought them down to the venue. What would fans make of the gig and would their expectations of the evening be met? Are you a Big Country fan? Let us know your opinion and record a video message to this video wall.

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Big Country at the Shepherds Bush Empire

Event Date: 13/02/2012

Formed in the early 1980s, Big Country were one of the many groups to come out of the new wave, alternative and soft rock era alongside bands the likes of Simple Minds, U2 and Aztec Camera. Originating from Scotland, the band took musical influence from their Celtic roots and were popularly known for blending bagpipes and fiddles in their songs. Finding great success both in the charts and on a critical level, Big Country were extremely popular throughout most of the eighties, most notably in the UK. Although the band did find some success in the States with single “In a Big Country” from their debut album ‘The Crossing’. The song was one of the most played rock tracks on US radio in 1983 with it placing in the top 20 on the US billboard chart. The band continued throughout the nineties but more on a steady path in contrast to the musical ascension they experienced throughout the eighties. One of the first albums they released in this period was ‘No Place Like Home’, a difficult record for the band as conflict and tension grew between the group in its production and it’s poor show in the charts led to them being dropped from their record label. Despite this setback, Big Country soldiered on producing more albums and performing more low-key gigs as opening acts for more established and upcoming rock acts. Throughout this time though, lead singer Stuart Adamson struggled with alcoholism and this was seen as a major factor in the eventual divorce from his first wife. Adamson did marry again soon after but a number of years later, alcohol seemed to take its toll with the singer taking his own life in 2001 whilst under the influence. Adamson’s music lived on after his death as it was only a few years later that American punk band Green Day and rock giants U2 paid tribute to the man and his music with a cover of classic track “The Saints Are Coming” by Adamson’s pre-Big Country bands The Skids which was released as a charity single. 2007 saw the band reunite to celebrate 25 years in the industry and with this embarked on a small UK tour along with a new album. The years 2010 and 2011 saw the band active once again with a number of festival appearances, including the Isle of Wight, T in the Park and V Festival. Now in 2012, and Big Country still live on with original band members Tony Butler, Mark Brzezicki and Bruce Watson continuing as a group. Welcoming new additions in the form of Mike Peters and Bruce’s son Jamie Watson, the month of February has seen the band perform a number of gigs across the UK. Playing recently at venues in Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow, on Saturday 11th February 2012, the 02 Shepherds Bush Empire was the next venue for Big Country on this small UK tour. WinkBall video reporters Jessica and Laurent went down to the Shepherds Bush Empire to speak to Big Country fans and find out what had brought them down to the venue. What would fans make of the gig and would their expectations of the evening be met? Are you a Big Country fan? Let us know your opinion and record a video message to this video wall.