Emotions will run high in Aberdeen next week when iconic band Runrig mark the end of an era with a concert celebrating their final studio album, writes Susan Welsh
Since bursting on to the music scene more than 40 years ago with a distinctive sound, Runrig have performed to sellout crowds across the world and shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the music business – Rod Stewart, The Rolling Stones, U2 and Genesis, to name but a few.
So it’s no surprise to discover that their latest outpouring, a new album entitled The Story, is hailed as being a good and bad thing. Good, because the 11-track album is full of wonderful new material, but bad because it also marks the end of an era as it, the band’s 14th album, brings the curtain down on what has been a remarkable recording career.
But it is by no means the end of Runrig, as the band kicks off a new UK tour at Aberdeen’s Music Hall next Wednesday, February 10.
“This is the band’s last studio recording, a hugely significant milestone for us all and one that we really want to celebrate,” said Rory McDonald, the band’s bass guitarist, backing vocalist and one of the original founding members.
The Story was produced by the band’s youngest member, keyboard player Brian Hurren, who says one of the highlights of the album was being able to go to Prague to record the 32-piece Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
“It was an incredible experience and it really helped to bring out the emotion in the songs,” said Brian.
And no doubt emotions will be running high among the musicians and fans as the latest tour gets under way in Aberdeen next week. Drummer Ian Bayne, who is responsible for giving many of the band’s numbers their distinctive, driving sound, is keen to hit the road once more, having spent so much time in the studio.
“We definitely won’t be doing another studio album, but there will be live and best-of albums to look forward to. There’s a lot of work, planning and writing that takes the best part of a year for a studio album and that puts a lot of pressure on the songwriters.
“It’s not that we don’t enjoy doing it, but nothing goes on for ever. We’re not hanging up our boots, certainly on the live side, but at some point it has to come to an end, so that’s the last time the band will be in the studio,” said Ian, who joined the band in 1980.
Looking back over his time with the much-loved band, Ian reflected on the music: “Over the years, we’ve tried to evolve and approach music differently, although the essential sound of the band is inherent in the songs, because you can’t stand still.
“We have evolved over the years and I think the new album has a tremendous sound. Brian, who produced the album, had a fantastic vision for it and has done a superb job. It has a bigger, very cinematic sound in many ways, while there’s a depth to it which he’s really tapped into.”
The original Run-Rig was a three-piece dance band formed in Skye, during 1973, by brothers Calum (drums) and Rory (guitar) MacDonald and Blair Douglas on accordion. They played local dance halls and for weddings and had their first proper gig at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow. A year later, singer Donnie Munro joined.
The year 1977 was a busy one, with a summer full of gigging around the Highlands, with a gradual transition being made from dance band to concert band, followed the next year by the release of Play Gaelic, the first-ever all-Gaelic rock and pop album, and they soon developed a cult following.
Over the next few years, the band became a household name, toured the world, released hit albums and brought their distinctive sound to audiences across the globe.
“There have been so many highlights it’s hard to pick a few, but the one I’m always asked about is the Loch Lomond outdoor concert when more than 50,000 people turned up,” said Ian.
“The success the band enjoyed on the back of that was quite overwhelming, while the name of the album, The Big Wheel, was very appropriate, as you almost felt like you were on a big wheel, a non-stop hamster wheel as you’d travel to a show, unpack, play the concert, pack up, travel to the next concert, etc.
“Touring is not easy and not a lifestyle that suits everyone, but once you’re in it is very enjoyable. We’ve been together so long touring is like being part of a family.
“Another favourite memory relates to the open-air concert organised on the shores of Loch Ness on August 18, 2007.
“I kind of conceived the idea for the whole show and was instrumental in every single step of it. I got Met Office reports for the last 25 years for that area and it had never rained on that particular date.
“But in 2007, the area recorded the worst rainfall for 100 years. The rain was terrible, then the wind got up and the concert was five minutes away from being cancelled, but with help from the fire brigade, we got the stage stabilised.
“Despite the weather, people loved it. Our fans are a hardy bunch and stuck it out, which made it totally memorable. It was incredible seeing the mud-covered cars going along the A9, while in Germany fans wore T-shirts printed with ‘I survived Loch Ness’.
“Another memorable gig was the three-hour show we did for our 40th anniversary at Muir of Ord. We thoroughly enjoyed it but it was a hard
one to do because we had such a big back catalogue of songs to choose from.”
As well as headlining their own shows, the band have shared stages with some of the best-known musicians at concerts and festivals.
“Playing to a Rolling Stones audience of 180,000 was quite an experience. We don’t generally get to hang out with the bands, but I’ve had good chats with the likes of Phil Collins, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. Passing the time of day with them is great because, regardless of your level of success, we are all musicians and do what we do because we love music.”
Runrig’s tour starts at the Music Hall, Aberdeen, on Wednesday, February 10. The show is sold out, but it’s always worth checking with the box office for returns. For other shows visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk or 0844 844 0444.