Review: Legendary rock band Big Country kick off their 2025 UK spring tour at Cambridge Junction
By Jacob Grattage
The group began their Come Up Screaming tour on Thursday, 17 April, at the Cambridge Junction (J1).
They were supported by new wave rock band The Vapors and alt-pop newcomers, Pistol Daisys.
The support acts launched the night off in style, first up was fellow Scottish band, Pistol Daisys. They gave an energetic performance of catchy, vibrant punk-pop tunes.
The newcomers had an air of confidence and captivating stage energy - definitely ones to watch out for.
Next up was The Vapors, famed for their 1980 hit Turning Japanese.
The new wave band reformed in 2016 with founding members Dave Fenton and Steve Smith teaming up with Danny Fenton (Dave’s son) and Michael Bowes.
Playing old favourites such as News at Ten and Jimmie Jones - along with new releases from their latest album, Wasp in A Jar - the band were a real hit with the Cambridge audience, who called for an encore.
The main attraction took to the stage greeted with thunderous applause. Big Country started off strong with Driving to Damascus, taken from their eighth studio album.
The father-son duo of guitarists Bruce and Jamie Watson were immediately in their element, ripping up the stage with a powerful combination of heavy riffs.
The band played a good chunk of their early catalogue, with songs such as Porrohman, from their 1983 debut album The Crossing.
With its iconic opening riff and pounding drums, the song completely energised the whole room.
Tommie Paxton, the band’s frontman, revealed that they had been in the studio recording a new album, set to be released soon.
He explained that while they were recording in Glasgow, they ran into some familiar faces.
He said: “We met three absolute nutters who were hanging around the studio all the time - they turned out to be the Pistol Daisys, they are going to come on stage and help us out with this next song.”
In a heartfelt moment, the two bands were one. The octet crowded the small stage, playing a handful of Big Country classics, including The Sheer.
The young group melded naturally with the headliners; I think they could have stayed there all night.
Later the group dedicated the song Never Take Your Place to former frontman Stuart Adamson, who passed away 23 years ago.
Tommie Paxton said: “You’ve probably not heard this song maybe at all played live, I’m going to dedicate this one to Stuart Adamson.”
Finishing with their most popular songs Fields of Fire and In A Big Country, the room was quite literally jumping.
Clearly, this was what the audience was waiting for, and their increased energy only served to bolster the band’s finishing notes.
All in all, Big Country did an excellent job, performing all their classics as well as some deep dives into their later catalogue.
The tour is a must-see for any Big Country fans, or for that matter any fan of classic rock music.
The band will continue their tour with dates around the UK, find out more at bigcountry.co.uk.
