Gig review: BIG COUNTRY – Concert Hall, Perth, 28 September 2014

BIG COUNTRY – Concert Hall, Perth, 28 September 2014

Tonight’s gig was part of a weekend of music in celebration of the Ryder Cup Golf Tournament which was being held a few miles down the road at Gleneagles. The premise I take it was to cash in on the American tourists staying in the city and to provide some top Scottish music, although with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers also played across the weekend maybe ‘top’ is being generous.

With Europe seeing off the USA in fine style on the fairways earlier in the day I expected a bit of a buzz around the city, but Perth appeared to be closed on arrival. Anticipation was running high though once in the concert hall with the promise of a rocking night with Big Country. The band line up has changed once again with the addition of Simon Hough on vocals and Derek Forbes from Simple Minds filling in on bass so I was interested to see how this latest incarnation fared.

The Holy Ghosts – Concert Hall, Perth, 28 September 2014

The night was opened with a short support set from Edinburgh rockers, The Holy Ghosts, who entertained with a set of blues laden rock which had touches of The Black Crowes and a hint of country. They describe themselves on Facebook as ‘swinging honky tonk rock’ and, in parts I could agree, but my wife described them as a ‘country Status Quo’ which I also partly agree with, make of that what you will!

The guys were at their best when they were in full rock n roll mode as on the splendidly titled ‘Don’t Come A Knockin’ On My Rock n Roll Coffin’ which featured some good guitar work from Jon McKenzie. By the end of the set though I had seen enough and would say the band are a decent local act but I think that may well be their peak.

Big Country on the other hand have always been a well-polished act with a large faithful following as the decent size crowd within the excellent Concert Hall proved. As the lights dimmed, the cheers rose and the band kicked things off with ‘Harvest Home’.

As always the main feature of the Big  Country sound is the twin guitar work of Bruce and Jamie Watson with the father and son team playing up a storm. When Jamie later had to change guitars as he had broken a string Bruce joked that he would take 50p off his pocket money to pay for it.

BIG COUNTRY – Concert Hall, Perth, 28 September 2014

‘River Of Hope’ followed in what was to be a greatest hits type set, the band will soon be embarking on a nationwide tour playing the whole of the ‘Steeltown’ album, but tonight was all about the big crowd pleasers. ‘Look Away’ and ‘The Teacher’ had the crowd on their feet and dancing along.

New vocalist, Simon Hough, fitted in perfectly and his vocal similarity to Stuart Adamson is uncanny. Derek Forbes is also more that capable of filling the bass spot vacated once again by Tony Butler, during the band introductions the band played a snippet of the Simple Minds hit ‘Waterfront’ with Forbes quipping that it was ‘the best note he has ever written!’

Things were brought up to date with the inclusion of ‘In A Broken Promise Land’ from the band’s 2013 album, ‘The Journey’. The fantastic ‘Chance’ followed with plenty of crowd participation and the Steeltown album was then represented by ‘Where The Rose Is Sown’.

As well as the trademark twin guitar sound the other main feature of the Big Country sound is the complex drum patterns provided by Mark Brzezicki and on ‘Restless Natives’ he had a chance to shine. His ability to rattle around the kit with gusto whilst looking completely laid back is a joy to watch, Bruce Watson later described him as the ‘engine room of the band’, never a truer word said.

BIG COUNTRY – Concert Hall, Perth, 28 September 2014

The main set was rounded off with ‘In A Big Country’ and ‘Fields Of Fire’ which went down a storm with the crowd with fans of a certain age possibly bouncing along a little more furiously than is good for them. The band returned for a quick blast though ‘Inwards’ to round off a great set and send everyone home with a smile.

If you haven’t witnessed Big Country in a while I would recommend you get along to the upcoming Steeltown Anniversary Tour as the band in its latest incarnation are on top form. The tenuous link to the Ryder Cup was fairly apt as this performance was well above par.

Review and Photos by David Wilson

BIG COUNTRY – ‘Steeltown’ 30th anniversary tour

Fri October 03 ABERDEEN Lemon Tree
Sat October 04 DUNDEE Buskers
Sat October 11 NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Riverside
Fri October 17 MOTHERWELL Concert Hall
Sat October 18 GLENROTHES Rothes Hall
Mon October 20 ROTHERHAM Civic Theatre
Wed October 22 BILSTON Robin
Thu October 23 BRISTOL The Fleece
Thu October 30 LEAMINGTON SPA The Assembly
Fri October 31 MANCHESTER Academy 3
Sat November 01 CARDIFF The Globe
Fri November 21 LONDON Clapham Grand
Sat November 22 NORWICH Epic Studios
Fri December 05 GLASGOW Classic Grand
Sat December 06 EDINBURGH University


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 5 March 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply