LIVE REVIEW & GALLERY: Big Country @ Epic Studios, Norwich

14th April 2023

Support from Spear of Destiny

Epic Studio's is certainly one of my favourite Norwich Venues, the old iTV building which played host to shows like Trisha back in the day is an adaptable space that can be arranged to fit the size of the band performing. Mainly entertaining lots of classic rock acts, which typically aren't my thing I often overlook it but whenever I do go I'm always impressed. The staff are all incredibly friendly too, something other venues could do with mirroring.

First up were Spear of Destiny who formed in 1982. Bar the two songs I'd listened to on the way to Norwich I knew nothing of them. Falling into the aforementioned classic rock category while likeable with a fun stage presence the sound failed to ignite my senses. There were lots of big riffs, heavy noise and rockstar attitude. You could tell the band had been in the business 4 decades and despite being the support act knew how to work the room. Elements of prog rock mixed with droning grungy bass while Kirk's vocals growled atop. It was a sound that was easy enough to listen to but equally as easy to forget. The more rock n roll numbers definitely piqued my interest far more and I couldn't help but be captivated by the electrifying guitar solos but overall Spear of Destiny weren’t for me. The largely older crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves however my younger years have a much younger taste and I really struggled to get excited with what I was hearing.

Following a queue at the overly high bar, where apparently my 5'2" stature deemed me almost invisible it was time for Big Country.

Big Country are a band who always passed me by, I knew the name but for some reason thought they were a trash band something like Slayer and never bothered listening. It wasn't until I connected with CRB editor Scott and he beamed about them, citing them as his favourite band who he's seen 20 odd times going right back to 1995 that I decided to give them a try. They’re entirely nothing like I expected, in a good way! Not typically my jam but there's something enticing and comforting about their sound. On the surface catchy melodic hooks but dig deeper under the signature twin guitar bagpipe sound and you have lyrics that appeal to the working class with feelings of lost loves and broken hearts.

Their show at Epic was part of their 40th anniversary tour of their groundbreaking 1983 debut album The Crossing. The show was also the same week that original singer and founding member Stuart Adamson would have celebrated his 65th birthday had he not tragically taken his own life back in 2001. I was surprised they didn't play The Crossing in full, normally on anniversary tours bands will perform the whole album then a second set or longer encore of other hits. Big Country opted for The Crossing heavy set mixed with other fan favourites spanning their 40 year career.

Coming on stage to a warm, heartfelt cheer they launched straight into 1000 Stars. The perfect opener which saw the crowd in an instant full voice. Leading into Lookaway which I must confess has been embedded in my head ever since. They then played through a fair few that I was unfamiliar with, this being an issue when discovering a band well into a lengthy career. It's impossible to know everything especially with it being so easy to click play/shuffle on Spotify rather than consuming full albums of tracks in the order they were intended to be heard.

The stunning Ships is an absolute heartwarmer while Porrohman was an interesting, self indulgent proggy moment. Chance is one of my favourites and I don't think anyone in the room refrained from singing during their biggest hit In a Big Country which was followed nicely with the funky and infectious anthem Wonderland. Ending on Fields of Fire the band went off, no one cheered for an encore and a considerable number of the crowd left before the band re-emerged. The setlist stated a two song encore although for some reason they shunned 13 Valleys opting to only play Inwards.

This was my second time seeing Big Country and despite them not playing my favourite on this occasion, I'm Not Ashamed, it was even better than the first. I love Big Country recorded, they're a delightful, charming noise but it's live where they take on a whole new dimension. The bond between the members strengthened more so now Bruce’s son has joined the band, the on stage dynamic, the little quips, stories and interaction with the crowd (I'm not sure why Bruce singled out the bloke wearing a British Sea Power shirt to poke fun at but it was rather amusing!He did offer him a free t-shirt at the merch stand which was a nice touch) that makes them such a wonderful watch. The fact that despite it being almost 22 years since Stuart's passing he is still l warmly referred to throughout, in much the same way The Manics always introduce Richey Edwards despite it being almost 3 decades since he went missing.

I highly recommend going and seeing Big Country even if you find them a bit middle of the road or if you don't know a single song by them, I guarantee their stage show will blow you away. They're incredible musicians with epic riffs, catchy chords and infectious choruses a plenty but they're also showmen with big personalities and one of the best on stage dynamics I've ever seen.

Full gallery here