LIVE REVIEW & GALLERY: Big Country @ The Level, Nottingham

16 May

Written By Scott

12/05/2023

Support from Spear Of Destiny

What a journey! Thanks to train strikes my already epic mission to The Level, Nottingham from the North Norfolk coast ended as the most effort I've ever made for a gig in my life! 7 hours there including a sizable delay in Peterborough and the way back, well that was 12 hours of nothing but stress but I'd not change it for the world. Well maybe Spear of Destiny!

This was my second show of The Crossing 40th Anniversary tour. Whilst I thought support Spear of Destiny were okay in Norwich by Nottingham they seemed tired, fed up singing the same songs and like a band going through the motions. Their performance was up there with one of the most uninspiring I've ever seen. Musically they are decent with the drummer being a particular highlight but maybe due to where I was standing or just how they sound live the vocals came through unclear and droning. So unless you're a fan and know the lyrics, unfortunately it was difficult to make out individual words.

I'm not sure where to start with Big Country. The set was identical to Norwich; the killer riffs, signature twin lead guitars with their bagpipe intonations and multi genre sound all still faultless. Even Bruce's between song band intros and banter picking out someone in the crowd wearing a non Big Country tee to poke fun at but then sending them for a freebie at the merch stand were identical.

But for me everything had changed in the month between gigs.

During these inbetween weeks I’ve done a deep dive into their back catalogue and spent time reading/researching. The more knowledge I’ve gained the more I've become increasingly more frustrated by the way the press has treated them over the years, regularly slating them for doing things other bands would get glowing praise for. I feel I entered The Level Nottingham with a much deeper understanding and appreciation for them. Their sheer determination not to let themselves be broken by scathing words. To keep putting out music channelling their Scottish roots, working class theme's while blending genres and crossing boundaries. I've come to realise that in order to fully appreciate Big Country you have to immerse yourself in them until they become more than an easy on the ear band who sing about love a bit too much. You need to look deeply into the words whilst searching your own soul, it's at that point they will consume you with some of the darkest, emotion inducing lyrics that will cut through to your core leaving you with a feeling of inexplicable vulnerability.

The set, as in Norwich, was delivered with pure class and dynamic stage presence, the bond between the band still captivating and heartwarming only this time for me there were no "songs I didn't know" I was near word perfect on them all. The opening visuals in Nottingham were better, the light show recreating a storm as the band entered the stage added to the anticipation that led to an eruption of adrenaline as they burst into 1000 Stars quickly followed by Look Away. I was slightly overcome with the emotions at that magical moment when a band just clicks and everything makes sense. The Storm with the line "I know I can never return to the time of hope when I was born" cuts deep recorded and live it almost took my breath away. Likewise the words to Just a Shadow are another deeply impassioned moment that is only personified live.

Ships, long before my eureka moment has been a firm favourite and always chokes me up a little the whole lyric spilling the feeling of loneliness and abandonment. I managed to suppress the urge to cry by singing my lungs out. Still not sure I get Porrohman, I like that it's a bit different and progressive but the extended musical interludes are a little lost on me. Debut single and working class anthem Harvest Home is phenomenal live blasting with the idea that one day you'll "reap what you sow" a powerful urge to be a decent person cos it'll come back to you eventually but likewise if you choose to live like an arsehole you'll get your comeuppance in the end.

Chance is another one that tears me up, another that focuses on notions of hopelessness, depleting feelings and alienation. It's a live favourite, the crowd always in full voice and actively encouraged to participate in the anthemic "oh Lord where did the feelings go, oh lord I never felt so low" chorus. The dichotomy of a sing along anthems with some dark lyrics are something else that has also stood out.

Having watched a YouTube documentary about former vocalist Mike Peters and his cancer struggles, In a Big Country hit differently in Nottingham, hearing his story and the importance of the simple words "stay alive" an encouragement that even in the darkest times it's always worth fighting and reaching for the light. Rolling into Wonderland I knew the set was nearing its close and the feeling of post gig deflation started to set in but I was quickly snapped out of it with Fields of Fire and its iconic "400 miles….. On fields of FIRE!" statement chorus.

To summarise everything had changed in the space of a month, Big Country have become one of the most important, relevant bands I've ever listened to. Working my way through their back catalogue and having them on repeat to near obsession I don't have enough praise for the band who've come from humble beginnings, fought press criticism at almost every turn, been through grief and loss but who are still performing with pure passion and sincerity some 40 years later. I do however feel an overwhelming sadness that I'll never see the original line up, the Stuart Adamson story shatters my heart the more I read. An icon, a talented songwriter and a gem of a person yet amidst my sadness there is a feeling of joy, I'm glad I get to experience his words live, they take on a whole new dimension surrounded by a room full of like minded people singing every word back. What a legacy to leave.

As an additional note whoever does their live mix needs a special mention or maybe it's the band themselves as they always sound amazing live. Each instrument comes through perfectly, be it the Bruce and Jamie Watsons’ guitars playing the same riff at a slightly different pitch, Mark's signature thunderous drums driving the music down to Gil Allan’s bass and Simon's acoustic all sound fantastic even the backing vocals of Jamie and Mark came through brilliantly.

The gig left me yearning to see them again, excited by Bruce's suggestion they plan to tour the Steeltown album next year for its 40th anniversary and itching for payday to get here so I can get a ticket for another show this tour only this time they’ll be no photos, no review I’ll be at the barrier soaking up the full atmosphere!