Borlum review

Just to add my tuppence worth, have to agree on all with regard to loo queues, umbrellas and drunks barging through - the guy next to me thought he had 'M6 This Way ->' painted on his back. Saw the male stand-uppy loos towards the end of the night, HIDDEN BEHIND the other loos and with barrier tape blocking the way in.

Gave one drunken idiot his comeuppance - barging around in a yellow coat saying 'Security Security' and then stood in front of my Mrs and a wee lady even smaller until I asked him to shift - and not too politely. He disappeared PDQ, so apologies to anyone I may have made to feel uncomfortable by my actions. Dont get me wrong, I had a pint or two before we went in and a couiple of more while there, I just didnt get wasted enough to spoil it for others.

And also apologies to anyone who heard me singing my heart out. I know I cant sing but Runrig are so brill live I just couldnt help myself.

One complaint not mentioned so far - did all those people who stood in the FanZone Tent ALL NIGHT LONG really enjoy themselves? It took me 3 attempts to get in and the same people were there each time. Did youse pay extra for that privilege while those with limited movement were left exposed to the rain and cold?

Overall, I got soaked and chilled, but loved the event and meeting such wonderful people like Jinty, Col Yates (agree with emgee on the Mint Cake Col - thanks), Emgee, Hendo, Anne Dorte, Jan, Fiery, HyderTim and Family, Matrina (hoped Andre has perked up with some sleep).

And yes, I would do it all over again.

QUOTE (Willie Forbes @ August 21, 2007 12:14 am)

Martin,

I reckon it's because its the first really big Runrig event to happen in their Highland heartland. I have been a fan of Runrig since '79. In the early days, a Runrig concert was either a gathering of Highlanders in the Highlands or a gathering of expat Highlanders in the Lowlands. These early concerts were very much a social event - a meeting of friends. Runrig fans were mainly 'Teuchters' from the Highlands. It wasn't until around '87/'88 (when the 'Cutter and The Clan' came out) that the fan-base in the South of Scotland and beyond really began to grow (or rather 'explode' - such was the sudden massive growth in their popularity).

What I witnessed on Saturday was almost a revival of the old fan-base returning once again - along with their new generation of Highlanders. I heard accents from all over the Highlands and Islands. There were 21 people there from my extended family alone - and we only come from the other side of the Loch. Any yes, most of the drunks appeared to be Highland - can't evade that one I'm afraid. But there seems to have been a real renewal of interest and enthusiasm in the band from amongst the old original hard-core Highland fan-base.

For a long time, interest in the band seemed to be waning in the Highlands. Some folk even thought they had wound up in '97 after Donnie left. It was good also to meet so many of the 'second wave' fans from the late 80's/early 90's at Borlum - and of course the many comparatively 'newish' fans from the UK and overseas. We are all one happy Runrig family (despite the mud and the drunks).

Saturday's performance by the band, IMO, was first class. Despite what others say on this thread I see no evidence of Runrig having lost their hunger or their passion for the culture - quite the opposite. Not everyone will have got their preferred playlist on Saturday - but how do you condense 34 years of incredible material in to a two hour slot and keep everyone happy? I thought they had a good mix of songs and - as any band of real quality should - they gave us a generous helping of their new, exciting material. There is nothing complacent about this band - they continue to move forward while still remaining true to their roots.

But I'm particularly encouraged by the amount of Highland interest in the band once again and I only hope we don't have a long wait before Runrig return for another open air concert in the Highlands!!!

Na Balaich - 'smath a'rinn sibh air Di-Sathairne gu dearbh agus tha mi'n dochas gu bhi sibh a'tighinn air ais ris A' Ghaidheiltachd a'rithist o'chionn greiseag!!

Hi Willie,

Great to hear that here's been a 'reconnection' with their roots as a result of this concert. If things go full circle (and then some) who knows - we might see a rejuvenated 'homeland' audience start another popularity domino effect further afield.....

I must say, the whole thing is starting to rejuvenate my own enthusiasm for the band again after a few years of ambivalence.

Am now listening to Heartland for the first time in yonks and it sounds so fresh....

Nice one !

Cheers,
Martin

QUOTE (steeleye_susan @ August 21, 2007 01:37 pm)

One thing I have to say is if you leave the barrier dont expect to get your place back!!! I hate barrier hoggers!!!

Great concert, got second to the barrier, got caked in mud and got an Aberdeen Angus Burger

I left the barrier and got back each time!

If you want the barrier, queue like normal people...don't expect to push in 5 mins before the band or on stage or you will get set upon!!!!

Barrier hoggers rule!!!!!

QUOTE (Julie Stanton @ August 21, 2007 02:53 am)

Hi

Camped for the two nights. Got covered in mud. Got soaked to the skin. Tent leaked.

So what?

Made new friends.
Had a great Runrig karaoke party.
Had whisky in my porridge!
Front and centre to watch the whole gig.
Whole host of memories to look back on when I'm sitting in my chair in the old folks' home!!

I enjoyed every sodden minute of it!

From reading reviews it seems to me that the ones who enjoyed it the least were possibly some of the least prepared and didn't know what to expect from a gig like that?

Julie xx

My View aswell, minus the whiskey in my porridge though

QUOTE (Willie Forbes @ August 21, 2007 12:14 am)

And yes, most of the drunks appeared to be Highland - can't evade that one I'm afraid.

I'm always staggered that so many people book tickets for an event then drink themselves comatose - surely if that's your idea of a good time you could save yourself Ł30 and get bladdered at home. Don't you think many (not all) of the drunks at these things are probably locals, taking advantage of the occasion, rather than fans, who would be there for the music? So on this occasion they'd obviously be Highlanders because we were in the Highlands - it's not a reflection on Highlanders in general, just on the fact there are always some idiots in the local population wherever you are.

I know that for some bands getting drunk is part of the concert experience for a lot of fans (you expect it at a Saw Doctors gig for instance), but that's never been my experience with Runrig.

QUOTE (thomasbaldwin @ August 21, 2007 02:40 pm)

I know that for some bands getting drunk is part of the concert experience for a lot of fans (you expect it at a Saw Doctors gig for instance), but that's never been my experience with Runrig.

Ah, the Saw Doctors ! Sounds like me at the Fez Club in Reading a few months ago...hic(!)....Cracking Saw Docs gig though in front of just a hundred or so people (an impromptu warm up gig for Glastonbury the next day)

QUOTE (Spud @ August 21, 2007 12:20 pm)

It's better than a total slating Catie.

Well, yes I suppose its better than a total slating

I just thought it wasn't written well at all, Runrig's actual performance only seemed to warrant 2 sentences and I personally think the occasion deserved a review that focused more on the music than the mud, but hey, tis just my opnion. Maybe I didn't like it because I didn't agree with it! Don't get me wrong, I think Runrig fans are a special breed (!) but their music is what makes them the truly great band that they still are today!
Does anyone have any links to other reviews of local papers at all because I'd be interested to read them.

QUOTE (Spud @ August 21, 2007 09:05 am)

We met up with John & Anne, Rosey & Col, Colin, Jinty, Craig & Sandra, Annie & Andy, Lisa, Alun.... and more (sorry for forgetting you, my memory is terrible). We walked round 3 times looking for Tiz, but couldn't find him

..... so went for curry, chips and hot chocolate instead

. I am truly sorr I missed you Tiz, I was so looking forward to catching up with you

Yes I was disappointed not getting to see you and Cornish. I tried phoning and texting but even though I had full mobile signal lots of my texts and phone calls didnt get out.

I was really disappointed not getting to meet Riglein and Laurie but there so many I was hoping to catch up with.

Was hoping to see some pictures of the field it looked unbelievable passing it on Sunday.

I am totally convinced its the Best I have seen from Runrig.

QUOTE

A very good point. We went up to the FanZone after the first encore so I good put the every obliging Mrs D in there for the souvenir discs while I stayed outside and enjoyed the Boys. It was chock-a-block with people looking miserable and I did ask them, not too quietly

why all these people were standing in the "FanZone" and not outside watching the band!! One chap did come out to join me and we sang, clapped and cheered until This Day came to an end.

Despite that - what a concert!!! The Boys did good!!!!

Craig

I tried so many times to get into the Fanzone tent and gave up in the end. I popped in on my way out to try and get my DVD, it was a bit quieter then!! Each time I went in I could see that it was just being used as a shelter and there was no way any of the "dry" people inside were going to budge an inch so I could get in to spend my pennies!!! Do you reckon I could still buy the whisky glasses from the online shop???? I should have put on my very best drunken Highlander scowl!!

(Bet they would have shifted then!!)

Great gig, worth every bit of the mud, the wet and the coldness!
Great big see and Julie Fowlas (spelling?) were absolutely amazing, as were Runrig ofcourse, wasn't too keen on Abifielding (sorry, no idea how spelt).
Got home late last night, with great memories!
Roll on Nottingham in October,
Rosie

Well, I have to say, Lotte and I thoroughly enjoyed the event! It was well worth the 152km trek from Milngavie to Ft. William beforehand I think (and yes, Fiery, we did hear your views on the West Highland Way at the karaoke on Friday!

)

The music sounded a bit too bassy in general, without low vocals, but I think that may just have been because we were standing near the bass speakers. The souvenir DVD has much better vocal sound, so there is hope yet for the main DVD when released! Great Big Sea were fantastics, as were the Vatersay Boys, Julie Fowlis and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers. By Wolfstone I was starting to feel the cold, and was more intrigued by the workers scaling the stage to secure the banner which was flying loose for the umpteenth time... But I think that was more due to the time scale rather than their music. Aberfeldy on the other hand... well, not my cup of tea to say the least, and audience reaction in general seemed to show that also.

Lots of people have mentioned the toilets... I thought the ones in the Arena were fantastic! At least you could flush them! Now the campsite toilets... they were a disgrace IMO. A lot more blue stuff was required in the tanks I think... But hey, what can really be expected from a portaloo?

Someone also mentioned the lack of fireworks... I was standing behind an off duty Rock Steady supervisor, who said that there were actually fireworks set up and ready to be launched. However, they were being reconsidered due to the chances of scaring the bejeezus out of local livestock (though I'm sure the extra manure surge may have come in useful when they want to regrow anything on Borlum Farm!)

All in all, I think it was all worth the standing in the rain for the hours. Although I did also have the annoyance of being pushed about by some drunk youths, I did also have the good fortune to meet some very nice people in the queue and in our area (front left, next to the barrier, just under the boom camera)

Cheers,

Scot

P.S. If you, or a parent are reading this, then Hi to Ian from Stewart and Lotte who you were talking to in the queue. Hope you enjoyed the event and didn't get too wet with your poncho! Also, you were right... Lotte (the tall Dutch girl) is a lot better looking than me!