The promoters of the WinterStorm rock weekender in Troon, Scotland have announced their 2023 Legends and Legacies line up, celebrating the best of the past seven years of the classic rock gathering.
The main Steve Strange Stage (named after the late industry legend) is fronted by three of the greatest guitar legends – the Michael Schenker Group, Bernie Marsden and Uli Jon Roth (former UFO, Whitesnake and Scorpions respectively).
These three axemen will perform some of the very best of their former bands’ songs as well as their current material – epitomising exactly what WinterStorm has been about over the years.
The Legends and Legacies theme continues with the obligatory New Wave of British Heavy Metal contingent which this year, unsurprisingly for regulars, features Praying Mantis and Tygers of Pan Tang. More of a surprise may be the name of Paul Di’Anno.
The former Iron Maiden frontman fits perfectly with the very roots of WinterStorm, having played the long-gone Ayr Pavilion (and of course The Apollo) back in 1980. Surprises have always been a part of WinterStorm and no one surprised the audience more than frontman, Johnny Gioeli of US rockers Hardline.
Gioeli will return with the band to blow the audience away again this year! And the surprises continue with two stunningly different heritage acts – Focus, and songwriter and member of Argent, Russ Ballard. These are certainly left field, but the organisers have said they can’t wait for that wonderful prog rock and those iconic tunes to be heard in Troon.
Event founder, Ian McCaig said “Who doesn’t love Hocus Pocus and singing along to some of Russ Ballard’s incredible back catalogue, which includes the classic God Gave Rock and Roll To You, Since You’ve Been Gone and Hold Your Head Up?!” As ever there is also a strong Blues contingent with Pat McManus (Mama’s Boys), Chantel McGregor and Jim Kirkpatrick (FM and WinterStorm catalyst!) appearing over the three days, ensuring that the guitar is to the fore again this year.
Legendary performances have been created every year at WinterStorm and the organisers are delighted to welcome back German rockers The New Roses, Massive Wagons and Mason Hill – three of the newer rock bands who have delivered some of the most memorable sets in the past.
They will be joined by other returning acts who have also raised the roof including Wales’ Chez Kane, Scotland’s Bad Actress, Cassidy Paris from Australia, English rockers Ashen Reach, and Northern Ireland’s Trucker Diablo.
There will also be two superb guest slots from the amazingly passionate tribal pipes and drums of Clann Drumma, and the wonderful voice of WinterStorm’s own Doogie White (former lead singer of Rainbow).
Over the years the second Sessions Stage has grown both in volume and talent; starting back in 2016 as an acoustic stage, this year it will feature acts that could easily grace the main stage. The Thursday line up, curated and presented by Glasgow promoters Shock City, features melodic rockers Romeo’s Daughter, Glasgow, S’in Dogs and Matt Pearce and The Mutiny.
The rest of the weekend will include The Blue Lena’s debut WinterStorm performance, and they’ll be joined by the returning Wicked Smile, Bastette, Baleful Creed, The Brink, Syteria and comedian Pete K Mally, with more to be announced.
The event again takes place at Troon Concert Hall on the West Coast of Scotland, but this time has increased to three days from Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th November 2023, with the After the ‘Storm event on Sunday 26th – details still to be announced.
Since launching in 2016, WinterStorm has become a staple for both Scottish rock fans and many others from around the world. Ian McCaig added “Almost 50% of the advance tickets were sold before any bands were announced so it looks like our Legends and Legacies event will sell out in record time.
And we can’t wait to welcome a more geographically spread audience than ever before, all of whom will be heading to the normally sleepy seaside town!” The remaining WinterStorm tickets and accommodation packages are on sale from 10am on Sunday 5th February 2023.
Full line up information and event details are available at winterstorm.co.uk Tickets will be available to purchase from winterstorm.co.uk/tickets-and-packages-2023/
Tina Korhonen – Michael Schenker Photo
Andrew West – Massive Wagons Photo
