The tale of two Runrigs: Band to release boxset of two pivotal German concerts

Legendary Scots band Runrig are to release a box set of two pivotal concerts in Germany.

Never-before-seen footage and audio recordings of the group will be included in the four CD and two DVD set, charting the Rockpalast shows from 1996 and 2001.

Both concerts capture the band on the cusp of major change, with 1996’s Düsseldorf gig showcasing the end of the band’s run with iconic front man Donnie Munro.

The 2001 Cologne concert saw the newly welcomed Bruce Guthro settling into his role as lead vocalist.

The boxset celebrates the harmony of both music and friendships formed within the band, having been together since their early years in Highland dancehalls of the 1970s.

With fans all over the world, the band achieved their goal of exporting the unique music, culture and language of Scotland onto the global stage.

Düsseldorf marked not only the end of the band’s run with Donnie Munro, who left the band for a career in politics, but the end of their record deal with the London-based label Chrysalis and the beginning of what has been described as ‘the new Runrig’.

By the time of the 2001 Cologne concert, the band had embarked on a new era with the addition of front man and lead vocalist Bruce Guthro, who had settled into the new role and truly made it his own.

Runrig had also recently said goodbye to their keyboard player Peter Wishart, who had also left to pursue a career in politics and in his place was the young, fresh faced talent of Brian Hurren.

As champions of the Gaelic language with an esteemed reputation as pioneers of Scottish culture, an extensive amount of the band’s set list showcases music in their native language.

Although from the Gaelic speaking island of Cape Breton in Canada, Bruce did not speak Gaelic so original founder and bassist Rory MacDonald took up vocals on all of the band’s Gaelic material.

Bruce and Brian were welcomed by Runrig’s international and loyal fanbase – and their German following was no different.

Runrig’s German fans have always welcomed their brand of powerhouse Celtic rock with open arms, and the winter tour in 2001, supporting the Stamping Ground album, was a triumph.

Bruce was fully integrated into the band and the ‘new Runrig’ received unequivocal support from their European cousins.

Runrig founder and percussionist, Calum Macdonald, said of their relationship with Germany and their German fans: “The road was long, our steps were new. Winter, 1986, Wendlingen, and a first tentative tour of small venues around the Stuttgart area of Southern Germany. It was the start of a career long relationship with our wonderful German audience.

“Fast forward ten years and we rock up at the Dusseldorf Philipshalle. We’d all heard of Rockpalast, an icon of European music culture and performing on the show meant we were now out of the small time and playing in the Bundesliga. Everybody who was anybody performed Rockpalast.

“It was the Mara tour towards the end of our time with Donnie – the mighty Atlantic came to the dancing floor … and then we came back again in 2001 with Bruce and the second incarnation of Runrig, to the Köln Palladium and an amazing evening of big songs of hope and cheer.

“Golden stories – unforgettable memories – pulling moments from the clock. Mòran taing ar caraidain Gearmailteach.”

Runrig drummer, Iain Bayne, said: “Our experiences on Rockpalast helped forge an unbreakable bond with our audiences in Germany.

“It was an honour to be part of the family of great artists who shared the same stages under the iconic banner of Rockpalast.”

Former front man and lead vocalist, Donnie Munro, said: “The importance of our German audiences and their great support for Runrig over many years cannot be over emphasised.

“For the band to have been so enthusiastically accepted by an audience out with our own home country and for that relationship to have been nurtured in such a special and lasting way, was vitally important and deeply appreciated by us all.

“From the time of the earliest tentative tours of small German clubs and venues, it became clear that there was a very special bond growing between band and audience and perhaps a concert that encapsulated that feeling was the Phillipshalle, Dusseldorf in 1996, where we played our largest show in Germany, up to that point.

“For me, the Phillipshalle was a very important show and undoubtedly a springboard for the international success that was to follow and will, for that reason, forever remain a real milestone on the Runrig journey.”

The Tale of Two Runrigs is out on Friday, 30th October