Legendary Scottish rock band Big Country, who recently had a series of sell-out concerts, have confirmed a new run of dates for April 2011.
The first show Big Country played with new lead singer, Mike Peters, from fellow Celtic rockers The Alarm, took place on New Year's Eve at the ABC in Glasgow. It was a hugely emotional night, with the sell-out crowd giving Mike their full support on his Big Country debut. At the end of the show Peters said to the crowd, "Thanks for looking after me."
Approaching their 30th anniversary, the run of confirmed dates for April will continue to mark a period of celebration that will not only embrace Big Country's illustrious past but also honour the life and times of original lead singer, guitarist and co-founder Stuart Adamson, who passed away so tragically in 2001.
With Big Country fans wholeheartedly embracing the first set of tour dates, the national press were quick to follow suit, with News of The World delivering the ultimate accolade by declaring, "Stuart Adamson would have approved."
"I first met Stuart on stage at a U2 concert in Hammersmith Palais back in 1983", says Mike Peters. "Bono introduced us to his audience as being "part of the new breed" and Stuart was literally passed up onto the stage by the fans and I shook his hand as I handed him a guitar - an unforgettable entrance. The last time I saw him was also on stage with Big Country at Glasgow Barrowlands for the last night of the Final Fling tour in 2000, when we sang Neil Young's Rockin' In The Free World together. When Bruce Watson called and asked me to sing for Big Country it was something I didn't need to think twice about. It's been an incredible honour getting to know the music of Big Country intimately and a pleasure to be around such great musicians and fans alike. I find singing the lyrics of Stuart Adamson very life affirming."
Co-founder member Bruce Watson added, "Both Jamie and I had a blast playing with my old mates Tony and Mark. Mike brings so much to this band and is the hardest working man I know. I am convinced he wears a superman costume under that jacket."
The new line up consists of:
Tony Butler - Bass Guitar and Vocals
Mark Brzezicki - Drums and Vocals
Mike Peters - Vocals and Guitar
Bruce Watson - Guitar and Vocals
Jamie Watson - Guitar
The tour dates for April 2011 are as follows:
04/08 - Portsmouth - Pyramid
04/09 - Manchester - Academy
04/10 - Oxford - O2 Academy
04/11 - Cambridge - Junction
04/12 - Norwich - Waterfront
04/14 - Bristol - O2 Academy
04/15 - London - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
04/16 - Leeds - O2 Academy
04/17 - Sheffield - O2 Academy
04/19 - Dublin - The Academy
04/20 - Belfast - Spring & Airbrake
04/21 - Edinburgh - Picture House
04/22 - Middleborough - Empire
04/23 - Nottingham - Rock City
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