Review By Darren McIntyre Photos By Scott Anderson
Winterstorm is a festival held in Troon Town Hall that has been rocking the Ayrshire coast since 2016 and has seen many of the world’s top acts grace the main stage and bring us the best music has to offer. This weekend is a little different as we are mixing it up with many acts being here for the first time, many are returnees and many it is a welcome visit that will see them playing in the UK for the very fisrt time, I rock up and collect my media pass and head into the Town Hall where I see many familiar faces from the last 8 years and that puts a smile on my face. The place has a real magical feel about it as we get ready to rock into Day 2 with a real force of new bands, some familiar faces and just a good time to be had by all, we ready ourselves for the opening act of Day 2 in the form of London Rockers
JoanOfArc are a London based rock band who initially formed in 2004 and originally began life as a trio but after 5 yrs touring the circuit they decided to expand to a 5 piece. 2019 sees the line up change once more and we revert to a 4 piece which seems to be a better fit, the girls have given us Ride Of Your Life in 2016, JoanOfArc in 2019 and the girls have just delivered their blistering new effort Invisible Enemy and as the girls make their Winterstorm debut they will be bringing us a selection of their killer tracks, the doors are open and the stage is set as the girls walk onto the hallowed arena and launch into –
Silver Sun – A smooth intro with haunting vocals that just sets the scene as the girls bring their infectious brand of rock n roll to the fine people of Troon, the track is a punchy affair that lets Chloe brong the rhythm section to our attention as this rocking groover really lifts the crowd as we flow effortlessly through the track that has people punching the air as we feel the full force of this powering 4 piece as they make their debut at this fantastic festival, we stroll into the opening track of their new offering Invisible Enemy, a crisp rasping guitar salvo erupts from the stage as the girls hit us with the full force of this powering 4 piece as they demonstrate their musicality that has made them a favourite on the circuit for sure.
The crowd are really getting into the groove as the girls take it up a notch with this growling beast that showcases their talents and then some as we get crisp, clean guitar riffs that just bring this well oiled machine to our attention as we stroll into the crunching beast that is Get Funked – A pounding rhythm section kicks in the doors as this funky groover comes for us with a shredding guitat lick that is wrapped in a cool, deep bassline that is dropping sweet mellow grooves all through this rocking monster. The girls are really enjoying themselves as they take us to somewhere new with their infectious, punchy, hook laden tunes that have us tapping our feet to their crisp licks and cool vocals that just bring Winterstorm to their feet as this feisty 4 piece really take us through the gears with their high energy, punchy riff laden music that just puts a smile on your face, we stroll into
Mister Mister – This is a real crunchy groover that brings us a shredding twin assault that is wrapped in melodic vocals that tells us that the girls have really evolved as a unit as they drop punchy beats with cool lyrics, the bassline is hitting us with dark, delicious grooves that work so well in this fist pumping rock n roll beast that just takes the girls to somewhere new. The place is nodding along to thier infectious tones as we feel the rasping chords deliver a mellow beat that just catches our attention as we clap along to this haunting rock n roll monster as we move onto
On My Way – This is a cool number that just thrusts the girls towards us as the cool punchy rhythm section gets us underway, haunting vocals are filling every corner of the venue as we feel the depth of the girls musicality that brings something new to the fine folk of Troon. The place is filling up nicely as the girls hit their stride and bring us a good ol rock n roll show that will surely gather them a new legion of fans as they pile their way through this well crafted setlist that has something for everyone, we are soaring through the set as we bounce into
– Here I Go – A pounding rhythm section comes in as the twin assault guitar licks are bringing this melodic track to our attention as the deep full on bassline wraps itself around us as we stamp our feet to this cool little number, the vocals are smooth, soulful and really deliver a soaring tone that brings the girls together as they hit their stride and fully appreciate Troon as we fist pump our way through this electrifying number that is just ticking all the boxes as the girls tell their own story as they give it to us and then some, we stroll into
Guilty – A deep punchy snare drum beat rings out as this cool rocker track flows freely from the stage as the girls let us have it with this growling guitar filled number as the cool vocals flow effortlessly into the venue as the band just brings us their killer grooves. The full on bassline drops killer funkg rooves that wrap themselves around this melodic beast that just keeps on giving and giving as the place really warms to this gritty 4 piece. slick, clean guitar licks are raining down on us as the girls really deliver a cool rocking number that just ticks all the boxes, we are soaring through the set as we arrive at Escape The Fire A cool snare drum / bass kick brings this track to life as sludgy guitar riff oozes from the stage as the melodic vocals leave their mark in this fist pumping rocker track. The groove is a real deep rhythm laden track that lets the deep bass drop killer tones all through the arrangement as the girls run through a real meaty set that just delivers groove after groove as the girls take us through their catalogue of hits that really pop, a cool guitar solo slips in as the twin assault really gets the juices flowing for sure, up next comes Nothing Left To Say A cool brooding guitar lick flows from the stage as the girls ready us for this cool track that brings sweet melodic vocals that ooze from the stage as a punchy snare drum beat lets the rhythm section bring the beat.
A funky bassline is hitting us with dark, moody grooves as the track erupts with a furious salvo of double bass drum kicks that gives the track some depth, attitude, this is a real ballad style rocker track that just allows the girls to show their softer, rockier, ballad skills as the track is building with every note that comes our way. the girls thank us for taking the time to come watch them rock out and for making them so welcome on their debut @ Winterstorm. the last track comes our way in the form of
A cool dark gritty riffed intro lets this track come to life as soulful vocals lean in and let the girls tell their own story as this foot stomping beast leaves it’s mark for sure, the punchy bass kicks are letting the groove kick in the doors as the girls build and build as this soaring beast brings us a cool punchy, rocking, dark track that suddenly hits us with a funking bassline beat that allows the girls to hit us with a real shredding riff that gives this track body. The girls look like they have enjoyed themselves as they have delivered a cool thought provoking set that really brought them some attention on their debut appearance today.
JoanOfArc – Shelley – Vocals / Guitar Laura – Guitar / Vocals Keira – Bass / BV Chloe – Drums / BV
Setlist – Silver Sun Invisible Enemy Get Funked Mister Mister On My Way Here I Go Guilty Escape The Fire Nothing Left To Say Isolation
Up next are our returning heroes from Belo Horizonte, Brazil Electric Gypsy who are inspired by 70’s & 80’s bands like Motley Crue, Van Halen, Whitesnake, KISS & Aerosmith. The boys have given us Electric Gypsy in 2021 and follow that with the colossal Mothership in 2023 which has allowed them to return to their second home Winterstorm, I will say that they were brought back by my good friend Pete Mclean from ShockCityProductions who was originally bringing them to tour with Paul D’Ianno until his untimely death threw their plans into the abyss. The band hit the stage to a heroes welcome as they introduce themselves and hit us with the barnstorming
Steal Away which whips the crowd into a frenzy as the place goes nuts for these Brazilian groove masters as they just shred away and really make us move our feet and punch the air as we get right into this melodic 80’s inspired hit makers, the set is littered with classic Deep Purple, Ozzy. Maiden and plenty of other bands inbetween. The boys are smiling and laughing as they certainly put a smile on our faces with their electrifying riffs, pounding beats and delicious bass tones that delight this swelling crowd right here in Troon.
The boys have been hanging around the guest area and chatting with many gig goers who wanted a picture, a chat and just to wish them well as they mingle with the crowd and pose for pics, I had the opportunity to chat with the band as they told me of their desire to return to Scotland once again to bring their infectious rock n roll to the masses. They are steeped in Maiden riffs but shake it up with the odd Ozzy number that really gets the juices flowing, they finish off with a little AC/DC which gets a huge cheer from the crowd as they leave the stage to huge applause and they thank us for our time.
Electric Gypsy – Guzz – Vocals Nolas – Guitar Pete – Bass Robert – Drums
Winterstorm is all about the discovery of new talent and bands that will bring the wow factor to this little slice of heaven doon the coast and we get that with our next band who are my favourite rednecks from Oklahoma who I first came across last year when they crash landed @ The Cathouse where they brought us a little slice of blues / country rock n roll that was out of this world. I was lucky enough to chat with the boys and get to know what makes them tick and what gives them the passion to do what they do, I was totally blown away by their colossal sound that has brought them to the attention of many music people far and wide. You can imagine my joy when I learned that the boys were driving their juggernaut straight into Winterstorm to give us a good ol dose of redneck blues that will certainly bring them even more fans, as the place gears up for their arrival the intro music blares through the house PA as the boys stroll onto the hallowed stage to a heroes welcome as they stroll into –
Livin Loud that just shakes off the cobwebs as Steve and the boys dig deep and hit us with this cool opener that just ticks all the boxes as we settle into the groove of these Oklahoma rockers. We are treated to the phenomenal foot stomper Shake It Like A Hillbilly that really gets the juices flowing as the place throws their hands up in the air like they just don’t care as we witness a real cool bunch of dudes that really have made Scotland their second home, we are feeling the love from the boys as Steve brings us little anicdotes that just put smiles on faces. We rattle through groover’s like Let It Ride, Let’s Get Together, Mason Jars & Steady At The Wheel as Steve chats with us and thanks us for making him and the boys feel so welcome as they tell us they have tried Haggis, black Pudding and of course whisky which brings a huge cheer from the swelling crowd.
We are hurtling through the hits as we welcome the new boy Gunner to the rhythm section as he pounds away on the skins that just brings a freshness to this ragtag bunch of hooligans, we rip through the classy fist pumping good ol bruiser High Time For A Good Time, Something Crazy as Steve stops midway through the set to tell us some homegrown facts about his family and what they mean to him personally as the crowd just watches, listens and howls with approval. We are tearing through the set as we blast into Down The Honky Tonk, Hell To Pay as we finish this blistering debut set witha hommage to my boys AC / DC as Steve and the boys hit us with the corking beast Walk All Over You which rounds of this glittering set in style as the place goes nuts for my hommies from the good ol State of Oklahoma.
Hillbilly Vegas – Steven Harris – Vocals Stacey Thornburg – Guitars Johnny Reed – Guitars Todd Ronning – Bass Hiraldo Valentino Dominelli – Keys / Guitar Gunner – Drums
Setlist – Livin Loud Shake It Like A Hillbilly Let’s Get Together Mason Jars Steady At The Wheel High Time For A Good Time Something Crazy Down The Honky Tonk Hell To Pay Walk All Over You
I was contantly chatting with bands, gig goers and generally getting the feeling that this years line up was something special as we have had many new bands from overseas mixed with good old British talent mixed with an international feel that just made this year quite cool. I didn’t spend much time in the Sessions Stage but was Made aware of bands like Shape Of Water who brought their own infectious brand of rock n roll to the fine people of Troon.
Next up on the main stage come a real gem in the British NWOBHM movement in the form of Graham Oliver’s Army, Graham has been a staple in the NWOBHM movement as a member of stalwarts Saxon before he went onto form his own outfit Oliver / Dawson Saxon which rose like a phoenix in the early 2000’s, that changes again when Graham brought us his new outfit Graham Oliver’s Army that carries the torch of the heavy metal scene onwards as Graham & the boys hit the stage to a rapturous welcome as Graham thanks us for coming out and joining them at this wonderful festival. First up comes the classicRock n Roll Gypsy that brings a fimiliar groove to Troon as the distictive Saxon notes fill the air as the boys settle into their stride with a classic opener that just gets those fists in the air as the place goes nuts for a bit of NWOBHM madness that just puts a smile on our faces, we crash straight into the classics in the form of Strong Arm Of The Law which really gets the juices flowing as the boys take us down memory lane with this rocking beast that just tells us that we are in the right place at the right time as Graham and the boys roll back the years with their impressive rock n roll grooves, we glide into the ballsy Denim & Leather that just catches our attention as we relive yesteryear with these crunching raspy riffs that just takes me right back to the Glasgow Apollo where I saw Graham many a time.
We stroll into Backs To The Wall, Dallas 1pm, the colossal rock n roll juggernaut Princess Of The Night which lets the crowd sing at the top of their voices as the hits just keeps on coming, we rattle through the setlist which is a glittering array of classic hits that lead us onto 747 Strangers In The Night which really gets us moving and a grooving as Motorcycle Man comes at us at great speed, we finish the night with two giants in the form of Wheels Of Steel and we stride into the aptly named The Bands Played On which was a nod to this epic festival that just keeps on hitting it out the park with the acts that come our way.
Graham Oliver’s Army – Brian Shaughnessy – Vocals Gav Coulson – Lead Guitar Graham Oliver – Guitar Jamie Mallander – Bass Rod Fearney – Drums
Setlist – Rock n Roll Gypsy Strong Arm Of The Law Denim & Leather Backs To The Wall Dallas 1pm Princess Of The Night 747 Strangers In The Night Motorcycle Man Wheels Of Steel The Bands Played On
I ducked out to get a well earned rest and to wet my whistle and made my return to the main stage where I wandered straight into the phenomenal voice that was Cherie Currie. Cherie Currie is a singer / musician / actress / artist from Encino, California who is best known as lead singer of punk / hard rock outfit The Runaways, a rock band from Los Angeles from the mid to late 70’s. After The Runaways Cherie went solo and also teamed up with her identical twin Marie Currie and they released an album together, Cherie has given us 7 solo records and also been cast in movie Foxes, Cherie has become an artist in wood carving and has even opened her own gallery.
Cherie is touring the UK & Europe on her final gigs of her glittering career and she is closing the coveted slot on Winterstorm’s first night, the place is packed and we are ready to rock with the queen of punk as she strolls onto the stage, Cherie storms through her classic hits and chats about writing her track for the Suzi Q documentary as she drops tracks from her 50 year career and it seems a fitting place for her to bring down the curtain on her fantastic venture. We kick things off with Dead End Justice followed by California Paradise which I guess reminded her of home, as she gets ready to hit us with another classic she thanks us for coming out to support her and live music and she thanks us for welcoming her to this fabulous festival. Classic Queens Of Noise blasts our faces off before we stroll seamlessly into the blistering foot stomer that is Roxy Roller and this gets the crowd all pumped up as we rattle off hit after hit as Rock n Roll Oblivion makes an entrance that just reminds us of Cherie’s colourful career.
As the tempo changes pace we lean into Is It Day Or Night, Midnight Music, Rock n Roll and stroll into the charismatic Rock n Roll Rosie which creates a stir amongst the crowd, American Night’s follows before we come to the end of the set or maybe it isn’t, Cherry Bomb kicks in the doors as the ever youthful Cherie strolls around the stage engaging with the swelling audience as we see this Queen of rock n roll for the last time, Cherie exits the stage but after a minute returns to hit us with set ending beasts C’Mon and finishing with Wild Thing. I will say that after being up close and personal with Cherie last year it really was a pleasure to witness her strutting her stuff on the stage for one final time. I must give a shout out to Ian & his wonderful team for pulling together a real stellar cast of musicians that really brought the best to this wee festival on the Ayrshire coast.
Cherie Currie – Cherie Currie – Vocals
Setlist – Dead End Justice California Paradise Queens Of Noise Roxy Roller Rock n Roll Oblivion Is It Day Or Night Midnight Music Rock n Roll Rock n Roll Rosie American Nights Cherry Bomb
C’Mon Wild Thing
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