November 16th 1996 – De Montfort Hall
I’ve no idea why Runrig turned up in Leicester in 1996. They had recently released a new album “Long Distance” but weren’t particularly well known (I didn’t think). Any which way, they were doing a full UK Tour.
I’d come across them through a liking of Irish music and particularly Clannad. Rungrig seemed like a Scottish secret in a similar folky ilk, with great pop tubes as well.
What was even more surprising to me was it was a full house….how on earth did everyone else know about this secret!! Having seen Skunk Anansie only 2 days before, who got a crowd of 2/3 capacity, I was a bit surprised the Celts justs rolled into town and got a full house!!
Clearly they had a bigger reputation (and an older crowd) than I had expected. It was a bit like the old days going to a concert with your Mum and Dad.
Really good set of Scottish, Celtic, rock, pop and traditional songs. Lead singer Donnie Munro was clearly known by the crowd and had them dancing in the seats and aisles, even some of th eushers were joining in.
It then became apparent why a full UK Tour had been scheduled as Donny announced (although it seemed a lot of the audience already knew…I didn’t) that he was leaving Runrig after 22 years so that he could move into politics. He was standing for a seat in the House of Commons for the Labour Party.
That was a great way to lead into the second half of the set and turned the crowd into party animals for “Protect and Survive”, “Pride of the Summer” and “Rocket to the Moon”.
Two encores, with the second one ending with the obligatory cover of the traditional “Loch Lomond” complete with crowd clapping and singing along. Great night.
Set List (probable)
- Hearthammer
- Canada
- Ard
- The Greatest Flame
- The Mighty Atlantic
- Edge of the World
- Anchorage
- Highest Apple
- Crowded River
- Always the Winner
- Protect and Survive
- Pride of the Summer
- Rocket to the Moon
- Sìol Ghoraidh / Valley
- Flower of the West
- Only the Brave
- Alba
- Encore: Skye
- Encore 2: Hearts of Olden Glory, Loch Lomond
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