Big Country, along with Simple Minds, defined the second new wave of music known as ‘Big Music’. They were formed in Dunfermline in Scotland in 1981 by singer Stuart Adamson. Adamson has previously formed new wave Scottish rockers The Skids, but as Richard Jobson grew into his role as an artist and demanded more control, Adamson left to form his own band. They nearly never made it. Turned down by all major labels their one shot with big name producer Chris Thomas (Dark Side of the Moon, Never Mind the Bollocks) produced only one mediocre single. It was Steve Lillywhite who produced U2’s seminal album ‘War’ who finally found the magic. He produced the single ‘Fields of Fire’ for them – creating the ‘Big Music’ sound that he would also use on Simple Minds ‘Sparkle in the Rain’. An inspired Adamason then wrote ‘In a Big Country’ after feeling uplifted by their new sound. Their album ‘The Crossing’ was based on this sound and made them global super stars. They are thought of as a Scottish band although none of them were Scottish. This image is of them live on stage at Pinkpop, Damensportpark, Geleen, Netherlands. 11th June 1984.