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The Spirit of ‘80” has always been around WinterStorm and it was the early teenage experiences of the organisers 45 years ago that sowed seeds that eventually grew into WinterStorm in 2016. The Ayr Pavilion and The Apollo in Glasgow provided the introduction to, and the seduction by, live rock and metal music that WinterStorm has in some ways tried to re-enact over the years. The Saturday on both the main Steve Strange and Sessions stages will dive deep, deep, deep into that Spirit of '80!The festival has slowly ticked off many of the heroes of that era since its beginnings and this year will tick another one of those “Spirit of ‘80” boxes when it welcomes Iron maiden founder and legend Steve Harris back to Ayrshire and the Troon stage with his band British Lion. 1980 saw Maiden perform with Praying Mantis in support at The Piv in Ayr and Harris’ British Lion will bring their straightforward rock n roll approach to WinterStorm on the same Saturday evening as those perennial crowd favourites Praying Mantis.
The Raven Age are hailed as one of the finest bands in modern British metal having performed over internationally across 38 countries alongside the likes of Killswitch Engage, Volbeat, Shinedown, Alter Bridge and Iron Maiden who they are touring with in 2025. Their sound is unashamedly influenced by Maiden and the melodic influences are there. Kerrang put it thus, “What The Raven Age do is straight-up metal. No bells and whistles, no hard turning into TikTok trends, but a collision of “trad metal… with modern metal nuance.”
As mentioned above, it’s great to welcome the legend Steve Harris to Troon but The Spirit of ‘80 theme (and indeed the essence of the 1980 Reading Festival) will play a strong part of the Saturday proceedings with NWOBHM alumni DEMON joining Praying Mantis on the main stage. The early sounds of Magnum will be kept alive by the superb Kingdom of Madness and in between, the memories of the Irish metal, blues and rock influence of 1980 will be paid tribute to by the amazing Pat McManus Band who will celebrate the sounds of Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher, Bernie Torme and perhaps even a wee bit of Mama’s Boys – all of who performed at Reading 45 years ago!
The Saturday, like Friday, will be kicked off by another band promoted from the 2024 Sessions Stage with the welcome return of Scottish hard rocking’ band Victory or Die.
The Sessions Stage bar is raised yet further throughout Saturday with a host of early eighty reference points including three bands with a strong link to Steve Harris - Gypsy's Kiss (Harris' first band back in '74) Tony Moore's Awaken, (a member of pre album Maiden) and the classic metal sound of AirForce (with Doug Sampson also early Maiden drummer). Kev Riddles' Baphomet will tie the 80's knot even tighter with an early Angelwitch set. The after show party will stay on message with a set by locally based AC/DC tribute High Voltage.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Troon Concert Hall, Monkton, United Kingdom
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
