^{[A live band performs on stage under vibrant pink and blue lighting, with four musicians visible playing guitars, bass, and percussion. Behind them are also a drummer and a keyboard player]}

Let me start with a story many people who know me have probably heard 100 times before. Runrig were a HUGE part of my life, I always joke that they were “technically” my first ever gig in June 1993, when my mum went to see them…8 months pregnant with me (she’d got the tickets back in September 1992). They do say to play music to babies in the womb, right? I was lucky to be able to see Runrig 3 times in 2007, 2009 and 2014 with my mum, before they retired in 2018.

But now you’re probably thinking – what have “Beat The Drum” got to do with all this? It probably helps if I say their full name is “Beat The Drum – The Runrig Experience“. We first heard (and saw) them in 2024 at the same venue (The Fire Station, Sunderland ) when we were looking for our “Runrig Fix”, so when we heard they were coming back this year, we instantly booked tickets.

The packed crowd was a mix of ages – mostly people my mum’s age (60s/70s) with a few “younger” folk like myself (if I can even call myself that anymore), there with their parents. But naturally, this didn’t stop the party. Simply put, they were blooming brilliant. You could see the fun they had in playing the songs, they exuded joy, and you felt that too. Of course nothing can replace Runrig, but Beat the Drum did a damn good job – it was an experience in all the right ways. They weave in Runrig’s story to the show, keeping their memory alive. Something that made this even more true at the show was when frontman Richie Muir played Gabriel’s Sword on the acoustic guitar that belonged to Runrig frontman Bruce Guthro, a simple yet wonderful addition that made the show even more special. The drum section interlude was nothing short of brilliant, and I was so happy when they played two of my favourite songs back-to-back (Hearts of Olden Glory/Proterra). Of course I loved every song they played, but those two hold a special place in my heart.

Those who’ve listened to Runrig before know that no gig is complete without a rendition of Loch Lomond – which, of course, they ended with (after playing a bit of stage peekaboo, because that’s what an encore really is, isn’t it?). I danced so much during those last few songs that my smartwatch recorded it as a workout! Seeing Beat the Drum is a truly magical experience that every Runrig fan should see. Sadly, the tour has now ended but with this many fans, they’re sure to be back. I know that my mum and I will be eagerly waiting to book tickets.

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