Big Country/Shaun Gary Palmer

Mr Kyps, Poole

Big Country last came to Poole in 1995 where they supported the mighty Jimmy Page and Robert Plant at a very memorable gig at Poole Arts Centre (now The Lighthouse).There has been many many changes since then, sadly front man Stuart Adamason took his own life in 2001 and previous front man The Alarm’s Mike Peters has departed to purse his solo career. The spirit of the band lives on with the two remaining members Bruce Watson and Mark Brzezicki who have recruited three new members who do the band’s legacy proud. On Bass there is Derek Forbes formerly of Simple Minds, on guitar Jamie Watson Bruce’s very talented son and Simon Hough on lead vocals/guitar. This line up have already completed a UK tour performing the “Steeltown” album in its entirety and are now on a “The Best of tour” with the first date starting here at Mr Kyps tonight. The place is predictably packed with mainly 40 somethings hoping to hear some of the songs that was the soundtrack of the youth.

Tonight’s support act is local singer/songwriter Shaun Gary Palmer who is making his slightly nervous debut on this stage tonight. His job is not an easy one as there are plenty of hecklers who are keen on putting him off his stride. Shaun is determined and delivers an acoustic set which contains some great original material such as “Fire Inside” a song he wrote for a song writing contest and the excellent “Walking Contradiction” which contains some nicely delivered rapped vocals. The set ends well with a well-executed cover of Jamie T’s “If You Got the Money” which earn Shaun some well-deserved applause from the vast majority of the Kyps crowd. Shaun then exits stage left for a job as Big Country’s guitar tech for the night!!

Shaun Gary Palmer 1

Big Country takes to the stage with the noisy crowd right behind them from the start. As the intro drifts away Jamie and Bruce start the unmistakable duelling twin guitar sound of the epic tune “Porrohman” before merging it with the ever popular 1st single “Harvest Home” which was unbelievably released in 1982. The five piece band power expertly through a host of hits including “King Of Emotion”, “Chance” and of course “In a Big Country” The crowd sing the lyrics at the tops of the voices and their movement makes the springy dancefloor bounce up and down reminiscent of those early gigs at Poole Arts Centre. The band play a 90 minute set full of highlights as well a well-deserved encore of “Look Away” and “Inwards” which more than delighted the ecstatic crowd. Bruce stated that the band enjoyed the venue’s facilities, staff and the crowd’s warm welcome so much that they would most definitely be returning in the future.

Big Country 1–2–3

Set List
Intro
Porrohman
Harvest Home
King of Emotion
Steeltown
We’re Not in Kansas
Chance
Where the Rose Is Sown
Peace In Our Time
Ships
In a Big Country
Wonderland
Fields of Fire

Encore
Look Away
Inwards

Videos