WinterStorm Commemorative Programme 2018 by Plan B Digital

T R AF D N AL FI TROON, SCOTLAND 23RD - 25TH NOVEMBER 2018

Welcome

TOM RUSSELL

The concept for WinterStorm has always been really simple.

And since August 2016 when we put the first tickets on sale, WinterStorm has gone from being a crazy concept to a sold-out weekend attracting rock lovers from across Europe and beyond. More than 2000 tickets were sold for 2018. But how and why?

That alone makes it all worthwhile. Of course, we hope that you’ll return in 2019 and beyond but even if it was a one-off visit, we thank you all for your amazing support.

If not for Tom and his tireless efforts to get the best rock and pop bands to the seaside town of Ayr, there’s every likelihood that, thirty years on, there’d be no South Beach Sessions nor WinterStorm in Troon. We all have much to thank him for.

A “well kent” face around Ayr back in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and rockin’ 80s day, Ayrshire DJ and Promoter Tom Jones brought the Powerhouse rock disco to Ayr’s Beach Pavilion before it evolved in to Pavilion Powerhouse nights of live music. Rock stalwarts such as Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, Magnum, Budgie, Gillan, Saxon, Iron Maiden and Def Leppard, to name but a handful, all played The Piv in the 80s and early 90s.

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Remembering the Inspirational Tom Jones As noted above, “The Piv” played a pivotal role in the education of thousands of Ayrshire rock fans and we couldn’t let the sad passing in 2018 of Tom Jones go without mention.

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It is a fickle industry and we have no idea how long WinterStorm can sustain itself - we hope for many years to come – but even if it doesn’t there is a sense that it has etched a series of happy memories in the hearts and minds of many that will outlast the event itself.

We wanted to create a line up that was soaked in nostalgia but that recognised and introduced new talent. Add in a great classic old concert hall, a location by the sea, superb sound and light, affordable tickets and quality food and drink. WinterStorm was born…

Yes, it’s about the music, and as good as that has undoubtedly been, it’s not what makes WinterStorm unique. What does create the uniqueness is As organisers we wanted to put on something that appealed to us and the friendliness of the fans, the camaraderie throughout the weekend and those like us. The memories of gigs in the Apollo in Glasgow and more the interaction of the artistes at every level. It feels as though everyone who has bought a ticket or has walked onto the stage owns a wee bit of locally The Ayr Pavilion or “The Piv” motivated us to see whether WinterStorm. It has been made all the more precious by the support and there was room for a wee rock weekender on the Ayrshire coast in affection of rock fans and musicians alike. the west of Scotland.

Less than three years ago I received a call form someone who I had met once before I think in the mid eighties at The Kelvingrove bandstand in Glasgow when I was hosting the old Radio Clyde shows.

I am proud to have hosted each event and introduced every band that has played the WinterStorm mainstage since its inception in 2016 and, as long as I’m invited, I’ll be back.

“Tom” he said, “My name is Ian McCaig and I met you with Zero Zero back in the day. Would you be interested in hosting a rock weekend in Troon in November?”

Of course, WinterStorm is about the music but it is more than that. The old-style venue, the seaside location, the amazing volunteers, the pies and a sense of belonging that makes each one of us feel as though that it is ours.

My reaction was probably no different from anyone else who he shared the same thought with and was along the lines of “What is this guy on?” So fast forward to the review of the third year of WinterStorm and a totally sold out weekend with a superb line up of bands and musicians over two stage and three days, yes, in Troon. In November. WinterStorm has captured some of the essence of an era. An era where we went to The Apollo in Glasgow or The Pavilion in Ayr (or insert your venue of the era!); we wore our denim, leather and combat jackets and our hair long; we smelt of patchouli and we rocked!

This programme merely scratches at the surface of the 2018 event and simply whets the appetite for what is ahead for 2019. It was great fun and I look forward to meeting up again over St Andrew’s Weekend. All the best to you all.

DEPARTED

Departed are, simply, a bloody good rock ‘n’ roll band. The vocals-guitar-bass-drums four piece have influences of 70s, 80s and 90s rock threaded through their sound but at their musical heart beats a contemporary, vibrant pulse – and a WinterStorm set that had the audience hooked from the first notes of fast ‘n’ feisty opener ‘Superstitious’ through to the call and answer closer, ‘Come On.’

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FRIDAY

23 NOV 2018 rd

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QUARTZ

TOMORROW IS LOST

Tomorrow Is Lost went down extremely well with the appreciative WinterStorm crowd, courtesy of a full-on, half hour set that included the metallic light and shade of ‘Shadowman’ and the full rock throttle of ‘No One Knows.’

To this day Quartz, forty-one years on from their self-titled debut album, have a Black Sabbath meets New Wave of British Heavy metal sound that’s as hard edged as their name. Mixing the old with the new Quartz brought back memories, for those of us old enough to remember, of those back-in-the-day supports to the likes of AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Rush and Black Sabbath.

ANCHOR LANE

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German band The New Roses are, much like Departed, a bloody good rock and roll band but one that are not ashamed to be Americanised in their hard hitting melodic rock. The New Roses can also tear it up but at their core is a slick, highway driving sound, lyrically and musically epitomised by set highlight ‘One More For the Road.’

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Anchor Lane never fail to impress and with new guitarist Lawrence O’Brien now fully anchored to the super-heavyweight sound of the Glasgow band, the young guns quartet are, as the title of the darker and powerful ‘Rising Up’ suggests, slowly but assuredly elevating their profile as they head toward the recording of a highly anticipated debut album and hopefully, a bright rock-metal future.

THE NEW ROSES

OLIVER DAWSON SAXON

SIN DOGS Zal Cleminson and his pack unleashed their intense progressive meets soundtrack metal through songs such as ‘Sin Dogs’ and ‘Stick Man’ while also showcasing why the still Sensational ex Alex Harvey Band man is one of the best rock guitarists Scotland has ever produced. The Sin Dogs also delivered weighty, reimagined takes of SAHB classics ‘Isobel Goudie’ and ‘Faith Healer.

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Featuring Saxon originals Graham Oliver and Steve Dawson and fronted by the cheeky chappy Bri Shaughnessy, these five Anglos Saxon’d the bejesus out of the Troon Concert Hall with forty minutes of full voiced, air punching ‘Denim and Leather’ clad singalongs (‘Strong Arm of The Law,’ ‘Frozen Rainbow,’ ‘Crusader’ et al). A metal-shod ‘Wheels of Steel’ that travelled ‘500 Miles’ to the banks of ‘Loch Lomond’ guaranteed even louder singing from the audience.

When Magnum kicked in to the classics for the second half of the set the crowd rose to the occasion in fine and full backing voiced style – the ever emotive ‘Les Morts Dansant’ wasn’t just the highlight of their set, it was one of the songs of the weekend. ‘Vigilante’ then rocked like the proverbial before the band’s ten minute tour de force, ‘Don’t Wake the Lion,’ closed out their set. An encore of signature number ‘Sacred Hour’ was perfectly timed for their mightily received sixty-minutes.

Magnum, led by the musical heart and vocal soul of the band, Tony Clarkin and Bob Catley, have a firm foothold in both classic and 21st century rock, as acknowledged and revered by many a critic and fan of the band’s melodically framed, progressively tinged music. Opener ‘Wild Swan’ led to a run of modern day Magnum nuggets including three from current album Sacred Blood, Divine Lies and the rock-pomp and melodic majesty of the title track from ‘Lost on the Road to Eternity.’

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MAGNUM

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GUN

From the rockin’ and hooky ‘She Knows’ and back to first ever single ‘Better Days’ and Top 10 success ‘Word Up’ GUN fired off rock shot after rock shot, hitting the target with the ultra-funky ‘Favourite Pleasures,’ the punky melodic punch of ‘Don’t Say It’s Over’ and a clutch of classics from debut album Taking on the World including the atmospheric title track and the melodically charged rock and roll of ‘Inside Out.’ Front Gunner Danti Gizzi was in fine voice, the crowd were in full vocal support and Day One of WinterStorm 2018 was complete.

South Beach Sessions Stage: Friday

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South Beach Sessions Stage: Saturday

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24 NOV 2018

KANED

Everyday Heroes, who travelled up from Wales, played an absolute hard and heavy rock blues blinder, making a number of new friends in the process. By the time their set was over echoes of songs such as the big and beefy ‘Take Me Home’ and set closing stomper, ‘The Ballad of Robert Johnson,’ were still resonating around the hall.

TRUCKER DIABLO

EVERYDAY HEROES

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SATURDAY

Everyday Heroes’ fellow country men and women Kane’d kept the Welsh-made power down by way of a set that metallically rocked, melodically rolled and vocally soared. Kane’d have played Scotland a number of times before and on this showing they’ll be making the trip from Cymru to Yr Alban on many more occasions.

The contemporary rock and twin guitar raunch of Trucker Diablo kept the decibels high and the hooks strong but the quartet are also as much fun as they are four feisty rock musicians. A sing-a-long of ‘Proud Mary,’ the foot down, glasses raised romp of ‘Drink Beer, Destroy’ and quips such as “we’ll see you after our set in every bar this place has!” made for the most fun band of the weekend.

NO HOT ASHES

Bernie Tormé was never going to be anything other than impressive as he’s always been on a winner with his mix of punky rock and roll and those distinct guitar squeals and gritty riffs that were such a huge part of the Gillan sound during his tenure with that band. However his playing and performance in favoured power trio format damn near brought the Concert Hall house down. Better yet was the six-string showcase during slow and heavy rock blues number, ‘Stoneship;’ when Bernie Tormé wrung every conceivable note and howl out of his guitar, the audience responded at a similar decibel level.

BERNIE TORME

International melodic metal exponents Eden’s Curse produced a set that covered pretty much the expanse of their entire career. Following band in full cry opener ‘Masquerade Ball’ the best of Eden’s Curse continued through songs such as the power-rock of ‘Great Pretender’ from most recent album, Cardinal. It’s fitting Eden’s Curse had just released an excellent, all-encompassing compilation entitled Testament because their WinterStorm set was indeed a testament to just how good a band they are live.

GIRLSCHOOL

EDENS CURSE

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It took melodic rockers No Hot Ashes some thirty years to release their debut album but suffice to say it was worth the wait, as was the band’s forty-minute set that crammed in as many songs from that album in as it could. Led by the rangy voice of Eamon Nancarrow the six-piece made their melodically shaped mark through a series of hook laden numbers.

Girlschool proved their pedigree with an impressive, highenergy set that opened with the electrifying double NWOBHM whammy of ‘Demolition Boys’ and ‘C’mon Let’s Go.’ But these well-schooled in rock girls didn’t just rely on their old material to make a sonic impact – newer, metal hard nuggets included the girl power punch and crunch of ‘Come the Revolution’ and a Motörhead-banging ‘Take it Like a Band.’

: Operation Mindcrime GEOFF TATE

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Geoff Tate, at the end of his Operation : Mindcrime set, left the stage to one of the loudest receptions of the weekend. From the spikey ‘Revolution Calling’ through to Grammy nominated fan-favourite ‘I Don’t Believe in Love’ and on to ‘Eyes of a Stranger’ finale, Geoff Tate and his band of O : M brothers were on theatrical form and conceptual fire for the full performance.

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WAYWARD SONS

Toby Jepson with new band Wayward Sons, delivered a highly entertaining and highly energetic hour-long performance at WinterStorm. Opening with a triple salvo from excellent 2017 debut album Ghosts of Yet To Come the Wayward Sons kept it feisty and fun before closing out with the anthemic cry of ‘Until the End.’

DEAD DAISIES

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Dead Daisies exploded on to the WinterStorm stage with covers of SAHB’s ‘Midnight Moses’ and a heavily rocked up rendition of Howlin’ Wolf’s ‘Evil’. The huge beat and chorus-crowd shouts of ‘Make Some Noise’ and rock radio hits ‘Song and a Prayer’ and ‘Mexico’ were WinterStorm winners but songs from current album Burn it Down also made their mark, including the gritty and bristling positivity of ‘Rise Up,’ the album’s brooding and bluesy title track and a blistering rendition of brassy Rolling Stones number, ‘Bitch.’ Other vociferously received original and cover numbers included ‘Last Time I Saw the Sun’ and the band and audience celebration of The Who’s ‘Join Together.’ Getting their heavier Beatles on for set closer ‘Helter Skelter,’ these Dead Daisies came up smelling of rock ‘n’ roll roses at WinterStorm.

AFTER THE STORM

(Chris) Glen, (Doogie) White, (Paul) McManus & Friends reprised their rock covers of each other’s songs set of WinterStorm 2017 to bring the main stage curtain down, but not without a couple of surprises. Introducing the 1st Troon Boys’ Brigade Pipe Band to the stage, GWM & Friends delivered a decidedly Scottish take on ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)’ the studio version of which has been released as a charity single.

After the ‘Storm followed the energy of the preceding weekend with an all-seated, three-act acoustic session that was as chilled as the temperatures outside.

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GLEN WHITE MCMANUS

Strangeways singer, solo artist and Giant vocalist Terry Brock, in the company of his wife Anna Portalupi, reprised his Saturday evening Jagermeister Stage set in front of an appreciative audience before Geoff Tate and his band performed a Queensrÿche-Tate greatest hits set. The acoustic session culminated with a performance from Steve Overland with Jim Kirkpatrick; the pair entertained the audience with a selection of FM numbers, some choice covers and some fun, anecdotal banter.

Credits Firstly to Jim Kirkpatrick, Steve Strange and Adam Parsons for their support and trust at the very start.

The hoteliers who have supported us all the way; South Beach, Piersland, Marine, Anchorage, Riverside Lodge and Simpsinns.

To Simon and Smalltown Audio and his sound and light crew for the magnificent main stage production and to Studio Five and theirs for taking the Sessions Stage to a new level. A special mention also to the Ayr College stage hands. To Graham Gebbie for the filming and post event production and to the photographers for capturing every minute and Mark Robinson for looking after them.

In house, there are a couple of unsung heroes over the past three years; Steven Timpson for his creativity in design for print and web and the unflappable support and planning of Claire Kimmett without whom the event would not happen.

To Burnside First Aid; G4S and a host of suppliers including Irontown, Bannerworld, Green Goblet, , Wee Badgers, Bob Moon Patches. Local suppliers included Brown Brothers Print, Cascade Scotland, Braehead Foods and of course the WinterStorm Pies from Brownings and we gratefully recognise the support of South Ayrshire Council, the work of the Troon Concert Hall team and the local fire brigade as ever!

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My wonderful family team of Mario and Bibby, Anna Marie and Cally and the students of Ayr and Kilmarnock Campuses of the Ayrshire College for the catering.

My own family for their support not only during the weekend but throughout the year(s). Partner Julie and sister Lynn for their awesome work looking after the bands backstage and to my kids Megan and Ross for their amazing workload and love – yer mammy would be proud of you! X

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Jonny Morton, Currie and The Harbour Bar team for keeping us watered both affordably and efficiently!

To every music fan we have had in the hall – you rocked and partied some - truly one big rock family! Thank you to each one of you for buying the tickets and making the vision a reality and the weekend a pleasure. And lastly, raise a glass towards the Temple of the King and each one of our absent friends.

To the multitude of agents, band and tour managers for helping us get through the weekend pretty much as planned!

The ‘StormTroopers remain WinterStorm’s greatest asset; the commitment, humour and effort that is put in cannot be underestimated nor praised too highly to each and every one my sincere thanks for making customer care a byword for WinterStorm. And of course there’s the stalwarts at the RNLI in Troon for manning the cloakroom.

Ayrshire’s Biggest Rock Weekender

th ember Friday 25th November SatNoonurd-11paym 26Adv £32NovDoor £37

4pm-11pm Adv £26 Door £30

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On stage 5pm

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TROON CONCERT HALL

Compered by Tom Russell – The Godfather of

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Back Cover 2019 Advert

Terry Brock | Glen White McManus | Ste