Runrig – The Last Dance (2DVD Edition)
On the 18th of August 2018, in celebration and culmination of a highly successful, fan revered 45 year career, Runrig played their final ever concert below the ramparts of Stirling Castle and in front of a 25,000 strong audience.
The second of the band’s consecutive, sold-out shows in Stirling City Park, The Last Dance – Farewell Concert is the audio and film of that highly emotional sign-off, from the short video introduction (including footage of the band in their earliest in the van - on the ferry - off to the dance hall ceilidh days; a blast of 'The Brolum' from debut album Play Gaelic is a particularly nice touch) to the fireworks and audience echoes of 'Hearts of Olden Glory' three hours later.
While the bulk of the film obviously concentrates on the band and individual members – co-founders, primary songwriters and brothers Rory and Calum Macdonald, Bruce Guthro, Malcom Jones, Iain Bayne and Brian Hurren – the cuts to, and sequences with, the audience (in all their joyous and tearful, sing, clap and dance-a-long glory) puts the viewer at the event, in the moment and at the very heart of what Runrig were all about – the bond with, and appreciation and respect for, their audiences and fans, many of whom come from much further afield than Auld Alba (thousands came to Stirling from all over the world to join their Scottish Runrig brethren).
Music wise, it’s a true career celebration; a twenty-nine song set (plus 'The Drum Section' showcase) that opens with the never more poignant 'The Years We Shared' from last album, The Story (one of Runrig’s finest studio offerings) through to the emotive and atmospheric lament, the aforementioned 'Hearts of Olden Glory,' sung A cappella with a backing choir in the thousands.
Between those powerful book-end statements are a host of rocking Runrig gems including 'Maymorning,' 'Pride of the Summer,' Rory Macdonald’s hand-raising, heart-swelling Gaelic lead on Scotland’s unofficial national(ism) anthem 'Alba' and the band’s full-bore, audience in full cry rendition of 'Loch Lomond,'
The musical and vocal sound waves of the latter damn near shakes Stirling Castle off its ancient, rock-crag foundations.
Such melodically framed Celtic rock, folk 'n' roll is complemented by Bruce Guthro’s solo moment 'Year of the Flood' (similarly Brian Hurren’s moment in the spotlight, 'In Search of Angels'), the audience voice given to 'Every River,' a particularly emotive 'Going Home' (any Scot that doesn’t have a lump in their throat or tear in their eye at this point needs to be checking their birth certificate) and the return of much loved original member/ singer Donnie Munro, backed by the Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir, for his Gaelic vocal on 'Cearcal A' Chuain' ('The Ocean Cycle').
Pulling out highlights is a moot musical point when the event itself is the highlight, but special mention must go to the various guest musicians who played their part – fiddle player Laura McGhee on Runrig’s song of the land, 'Proterra;' the sax appeal added by Dave Towers on high-tempo Celtic jig 'Onar;' Gary Innes in full accordion swing on shinty hard rocker 'Clash of Ash;' Duncan Chisholm’s fiddle refrain on the moving and reflective 'The Story;' the beautiful voice of Julie Fowlis in duet with Bruce Guthro on 'Somewhere.'
While the DVD or Blu-ray version of The Last Dance (both of which include a 20 minute Behind the Scenes feature from The Final Mile tour) will be the preferred choice for many, particularly the fans that attended, a 3CD edition captures the entire event in fine Digipak & 12 page booklet style.
For the Runrig aficionado however it probably has to be the Limited Collector’s Edition Box (3CD, 2DVD, 40 page coffee table book).
Whichever format you choose, it’s the ultimate musical memento and one Last Dance (it’s still hard to conceive of a Scottish music scene without Runrig) in the company of the most successful ever Celtic Rock band.
"Beat the drum" one more time boys; pride of that August 2018 summer, pride (and gratitude) of a nation.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
The second of the band’s consecutive, sold-out shows in Stirling City Park, The Last Dance – Farewell Concert is the audio and film of that highly emotional sign-off, from the short video introduction (including footage of the band in their earliest in the van - on the ferry - off to the dance hall ceilidh days; a blast of 'The Brolum' from debut album Play Gaelic is a particularly nice touch) to the fireworks and audience echoes of 'Hearts of Olden Glory' three hours later.
While the bulk of the film obviously concentrates on the band and individual members – co-founders, primary songwriters and brothers Rory and Calum Macdonald, Bruce Guthro, Malcom Jones, Iain Bayne and Brian Hurren – the cuts to, and sequences with, the audience (in all their joyous and tearful, sing, clap and dance-a-long glory) puts the viewer at the event, in the moment and at the very heart of what Runrig were all about – the bond with, and appreciation and respect for, their audiences and fans, many of whom come from much further afield than Auld Alba (thousands came to Stirling from all over the world to join their Scottish Runrig brethren).
Music wise, it’s a true career celebration; a twenty-nine song set (plus 'The Drum Section' showcase) that opens with the never more poignant 'The Years We Shared' from last album, The Story (one of Runrig’s finest studio offerings) through to the emotive and atmospheric lament, the aforementioned 'Hearts of Olden Glory,' sung A cappella with a backing choir in the thousands.
Between those powerful book-end statements are a host of rocking Runrig gems including 'Maymorning,' 'Pride of the Summer,' Rory Macdonald’s hand-raising, heart-swelling Gaelic lead on Scotland’s unofficial national(ism) anthem 'Alba' and the band’s full-bore, audience in full cry rendition of 'Loch Lomond,'
The musical and vocal sound waves of the latter damn near shakes Stirling Castle off its ancient, rock-crag foundations.
Such melodically framed Celtic rock, folk 'n' roll is complemented by Bruce Guthro’s solo moment 'Year of the Flood' (similarly Brian Hurren’s moment in the spotlight, 'In Search of Angels'), the audience voice given to 'Every River,' a particularly emotive 'Going Home' (any Scot that doesn’t have a lump in their throat or tear in their eye at this point needs to be checking their birth certificate) and the return of much loved original member/ singer Donnie Munro, backed by the Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir, for his Gaelic vocal on 'Cearcal A' Chuain' ('The Ocean Cycle').
Pulling out highlights is a moot musical point when the event itself is the highlight, but special mention must go to the various guest musicians who played their part – fiddle player Laura McGhee on Runrig’s song of the land, 'Proterra;' the sax appeal added by Dave Towers on high-tempo Celtic jig 'Onar;' Gary Innes in full accordion swing on shinty hard rocker 'Clash of Ash;' Duncan Chisholm’s fiddle refrain on the moving and reflective 'The Story;' the beautiful voice of Julie Fowlis in duet with Bruce Guthro on 'Somewhere.'
While the DVD or Blu-ray version of The Last Dance (both of which include a 20 minute Behind the Scenes feature from The Final Mile tour) will be the preferred choice for many, particularly the fans that attended, a 3CD edition captures the entire event in fine Digipak & 12 page booklet style.
For the Runrig aficionado however it probably has to be the Limited Collector’s Edition Box (3CD, 2DVD, 40 page coffee table book).
Whichever format you choose, it’s the ultimate musical memento and one Last Dance (it’s still hard to conceive of a Scottish music scene without Runrig) in the company of the most successful ever Celtic Rock band.
"Beat the drum" one more time boys; pride of that August 2018 summer, pride (and gratitude) of a nation.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
The Last Dance – Farewell Concert will be released on Friday 16th August.
The Last Dance film will have its world premiere at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday 17th August.
Prior to the film’s screening members of the band will be on stage for an informal chat with Scottish broadcaster and musician, Roddy Hart. Click here for ticket information/ availability.
The Last Dance film will have its world premiere at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday 17th August.
Prior to the film’s screening members of the band will be on stage for an informal chat with Scottish broadcaster and musician, Roddy Hart. Click here for ticket information/ availability.