Ted
Buckleys view - Stirling Castle
Just
when you thought you'd read all the Stirling reviews, here's another
one. Rather than just comment on the concert and the set-list,
I'll try and give a flavour of what was for me a whole Runrig
weekend experience.
This was my twelfth concert since I kicked off in 1999, the second
in Scotland, and the first outdoors. The first in Scotland was
at Barrowlands last December, and I wondered how this one could
top that. I guess it started off on the Thursday evening, when
I accessed the BBC's five-day weather forecast for Stirling, which
was Saturday, cloudy, dull, cool, top temp 19degC, Sunday, wet.
I decided the rain would come early, so, better pack the kag.
And wellies. Ever the optimist, I packed the shorts too, just
in case. Setting off from Lancashire on Friday afternoon, it was
raining. No change there then! I was driving up alone, my wife
Elaine had gone with her parents to a wedding down in Suffolk,
which I should have been at. My absence had been the subject of
heated debate earlier in the year, but I put my foot down this
time, and won! So imagine my surprise when, heading up the M6
past the Lake District, I could see a glow in the sky ahead. Either
someone had nuked Scotland, or better weather was up ahead. Sure
enough, as I powered up Shap, the clouds disappeared, the sky
turned bright blue, and the sun shone. The drive up the M74 was
in perfect weather, and the A701 (?) via Biggar was an absolute
delight, with the early evening light on the purple heather-clad
hills. Disaster arrived on the M74 when the car hi-fi packed in,
and the rest of the journey was Rig-less. I was not amused.
And
so to Edinburgh, to spend the night with fellow Riggies Malla
and Scott, met via the List. Two of Malla's friends Anna and Petra
from Germany were also staying, and we five spent the evening
swapping stories of Runrig, listening to their CDs, and naturally
sampling some whisky. With three Germans, one English and one
Canadian, there wasn't a Scot in sight - apart from Scott, the
Canadian!! Saturday morning arrived bright, and very warm, with
Arthur's Seat looming clearly over their apartment. We couldn't
believe our luck, and once again, the BBC weathermen had got it
totally wrong. Arrival at Stirling was at about 1pm - with three
women and two blokes sharing one bathroom, we naturally ran very
late! After a quick bevy and sunbathe at the Portcullis Inn at
the foot of the castle entrance, we wandered in to see what was
happening on the concert ground. The stage was built, and the
equipment was being set up. We walked up to have a look at the
castle itself, and watched proceedings from the ramparts, where
one of the DVD cameras was set up. At about 2pm, we were heading
back past the stage, when out popped Malcolm complete with accordion.
We were able to walk right up to the very stage and watch him
play a couple of reels. In a break in proceedings, another guy
asked his permission to take photos, which he readily gave, bless
him, so it was out with the zoom lens, hands trembling with excitement.
Beep, beep, beep, from the camera, film over. Spare film in car
one mile away. SHIT! Still, we enjoyed watching him till he finished,
then wandered into town to seek the Golden Lion and a late lunch
at well after 3 o'clock.
Thanks for your recommendation, Crunchie, we had a really good
meal, but didn't meet up with other Listers unfortunately. I'm
not the kind of guy who can just easily walk into a room full
of 'strangers' and introduce myself. Never mind, maybe next time,
then. At about 4.30 we walked back up to the castle, and were
delighted to arrive just as the Glasgow Islay Choir commenced
their rehersal. They were a delight to listen too. The barriers
had gone up, so we were stood back by the merchandise stall, but
still had a very good view. And I had retrieved that spare film
from the car. Talking of the merchandise stands, it seems a shame
that they weren't open during the afternoon, as they could have
done a brisk trade, judging by the number of fans milling about.
At a standing gig, I like to get in, get my spot, and stay there,
never mind the shop, and I'm sure many others are of the same
view, so they're missing out on revenue. And then the Band came
on, at about 5.15 or so, all of them. We were treated to a couple
of songs, including one of my favourites, Big Skye off ISOA. Not
all sung from beginning to end, but a treat nevertheless. Then
Bruce stepped up to the mic and reeled off two verses of North
West Passage, with no instruments and no backing. Just him. It
was perfect! Clear as a bell, totally in tune, what a voice and
a talent that guy has. I was really looking forward to that one
in the set-list again, but it didn't appear. At the end I was
thinking, there must be another encore, they haven't done it yet,
but it was not to be. Then it was back to the car, ditch the camera
(no good after dark), quick change of clothes - didn't get arrested!!
- and over to the back of the snake. What a huge queue it was,
but the arrangements were extremely efficient, and we were soon
inside. You've already heard much about the set-list, so I won't
repeat it again here. Notable omissions? My very first concert
without A Dhinnse na firinn. Flower of the West was missing, which
was a surprise, but so much else was there, and, unlike several
reviewers, I really enjoyed the medley of part-songs. The new
songs were terrific, every one of them. Rory was in perfect voice
on the Gaelic one, and Brian sung very well indeed on 'There's
a Need'. What a find that lad's turning out to be - he even played
Calum's drum kit during the 'accoustic marching' bit. Highlights?
Too many to mention, but I will single out Proterra (the song).
This was the first time I'd heard it, it was marvellous, the backdrop
film evoked powerful emotions, and halfway through I was astonished
to realise tears were rolling down my cheeks. Now this Band's
songs have evoked powerful emotions in me before, but never on
first hearing. I never cease to be amazed at this - no other Band's
work has ever reduced a rational bloke like me to tears. Just
what is it with these guys? One to be missed? Jingle Bells, of
course. Bruce, you daft bugger!! Yes I dare say you were winding
us up, but I hope it's cut from the DVD! It's bad enough blasting
out the car (open-top) on AAA4 or is it a bootleg. I do recall
thinking fleetingly what "our great friend" (to crib
from Bruce) Ann C must've been feeling at that moment, assuming
she was there. Complete apoplexy, I should think;-)) So I smiled,
and sung a little bit louder. Hey, Ann, just kidding. All too
soon, it was over, even though the lads were on for 2 and a quarter
hours this time. At least I got to see Donnie on stage for the
first time. That was a nice touch. He was there, but, if he'd
sung, it'd probably have re-ignited all the debates about reconciliations
and a come-back. But he didn't sing, and for me that's rather
definitive. We had to practically carry Anna away afterwards,
she was so weak at the knees. After sweeping across the stage,
Donnie had apparently come down into the audience, those who were
hanging around after the end of the show. He spotted her, came
over, hugged her and said hello Anna good to see you again. She's
been backstage more that a few times apparently. We didn't see
this, having gone over to the merchandise stand, which the bloody
cops closed down just as I got to the front of the queue.
So it was all over, back to the car, and back to Edinburgh. We
were all five on such a high, we could have flown there, I think!
Then it was on with the hi fi, out with the beer and whisky, and
a good old natter. Almost before we knew it, it was light again,
and 6.30am!!! Later on, we checked out HMV, just in case. Tantalisingly,
three whole compartments were marked up Proterra, but they were
empty. And so, after another really hot day in Edinburgh, it was
time for the silent but topless (the car, that is - kept me awake!!)
drive home to Lancashire. A great way to end a great weekend.
For me, the concert was truly awesome. Hard to say whether it
was better than Barrowlands, the two cannot be compared. But,
the atmosphere was second to none. Got the album Monday - it's
superb - if you haven't got it yet, go get
