Big Country - No. 73 - May 21, 1983.

Big Country's appearance on the ITV Network children's show No.73.
Performance date 21/05/1983.
Interview with Stuart
In A Big Country
Fields of Fire
This is the earliest known video footage of Big Country performing In A Big Country live. Although the date towards the end of the clip shows April 28, it was filmed the day of the F.A Cup Final in 1983, May 21 - a day after the release of the single. (with thanks to Martin Warner for clarification)
As a side note, this video was originally uploaded to a different, non-Big Country KZbin channel where it resided for a while. That channel has recently been deactivated which meant the clip was no longer available.
Thanks to a little good fortune, it has been resurrected here at BC1000stars for posterity. I did make a copy of the clip a while back with the knowledge that it was too valuable an archive piece to be lost if anything happened - and then I promptly misplaced it myself. lol so thank you to JfnG for answering the call for help.
Wishing all Big Country fans and subscribers to the channel a very safe and happy 2021.
Stay Alive!

[@jonburrows2883]

We never had much money when I was a kid. I absolutely pestered my mum for a checked shirt for months because of this band. I eventually got one and the first thing I did was cut the sleeves off. My mum remains unimpressed to this day. Thank you for keeping Big Country alive with your superb site. I for one am eternally grateful. Happy New Year!

[@lewjones]

this band was so special---the last of the stand up hero bands.

[@markketsdever9498]

God Andy, I still can't watch the live stuff without crying 🥲

[@BC1000Stars]

This is a really great one, isn't it. Even after Stuart's guitar stops working in TABC, he just carries on. This is one of my favourites, Mark. And yep, i get the tears too.

[@shaunhenderson9434]

GREAT VIDEO CLIP and it was a live performance!!! They ALL have hip moves as they play such an AWESOME performance with little room space.

[@kennyhamilton3598]

stuart bruce tony and mark superb lineup and all great down to earth blokes 👍

[@ramongonzalez2112]

Fresh look, fresh sound, positive vibes.🤙BC

[@sharonlee4773]

Fabulous!

[@davidcraig1930]

Well, 37 years late to seeing this, but damn... that was awesome!!!

[@wimsele]

Damn! They sound so good live, such a tight band. Great Musicians every one. ❤

[@g1zm02k]

Bloody hell, No. 73! Wasn't this the show that kickstarted Sandi Toksvig's career? One of those rare shows that actually had bands play live and didn't patronise kids! Thanks for this!

[@Metaltalia]

Amazing, that was a good Saturday morning for five year old me.

[@ramongonzalez2112]

Those kids on stage were funny; and the show. Surprised those plates didn’t shatter with BC’s big sound.😃

[@MrJohncrowther]

Never knew this existed. Must have been Cup final day Brighton/Man Utd 83. What a blast !!

[@johnmitchelljr]

If you don't love this , I don't need to know you. Thank you for sharing. This is special.

[@musicbybackinnyc1]

this is a live performance awesome

[@as-uh4jk]

"On you go, man." Love this clip.

[@thewarwagon5649]

Barely enough room for Bruce & Tony to bust a move - hard not to knock something over!

[@SteveJamsEcono]

You're doing the lord's work on this channel for sure, hoo man. Makes this US-based Big Country fan really happy. I think the most remarkable thing here is how even though they are basically playing a living room they STILL sound pretty massive due to the power in Stuart's songs and the arrangements the band came up with. Incredible stuff.

[@walterredaelli7507]

Indeed. I was having the same thought. Either they played on stage or in a kids room the sound was the same .. not a single note out of place except Stuart's riff slightly different that probably was fine tuned later on in the next months. How much I miss Stu and the lads

[@denhayward]

Thank you, sooooo much xx

[@bassfingers]

Loved them then, love them still. ✌🏻❤️🇬🇧

[@padraigsisk4057]

Stuart with a Strat

[@pmckerna]

Brilliant! The Great Suprendo lapping it up in the background! 😆

[@Nessie2410]

Love vids like this, fun actually. Brilliant version of IABC. Thanks!

[@1802Sacha]

This is FANTASTIC! Really, what a video! And the powerful sound that they make in this small studio. How fortunate were those people there.. Thank you for posting. Another treasure.

[@bishopfellwalker]

Fantastic!

[@darrylstubbs4245]

used to watch number 73.

[@colshythecomedian]

I bet those weans would never have heard anything as loud as Big Country in their lives. 🙉🎸🎸🎸

[@alwatts5485]

Some lovely work by Bruce at around the 5-minute Mark, and a truly joyous Fields of Fire.

[@walterredaelli7507]

Absolute shivers 🎸🖖🏻

[@theporrohman]

I went and bought The Crossing the same day as this was broadcast. I'd already heard them on the radio but this clinched it. I was 10 years old and for some reason my brother was getting money for something and I wasn't, so I pestered until my parents let me buy the tape. I'm confused though, I thought they'd played in the basement like the others do, but obviously not. Many thanks for uploading this

[@martinwarner3593]

Unlikely that you bought the album on the same day as it wasn’t released until mid July...but a good choice all the same

[@theporrohman]

@@martinwarner3593 Ah, you're right! Thanks. I definitely remember the part about my brother and pestering my parents, just my old brain forgetting the dates. It's still my favourite album all these years later.

[@salihkasap3770]

Brilliant post Thanks can't get enough of them

[@garyoakley2547]

For once I really wish I was a few years older🤣

[@jaford2]

Amazing! Great memories of rousing times! I must admit, I didn't buy my first copy of The Crossing till July that year.

[@chen5310]

Thank you for sharing this with all the BC fans! Happy new year!

[@kevino8634]

Absolutely sensational.

[@RubenPulgarinCruz]

Maravilloso verlos!!! Muchas gracias!

[@marshallheadkt66]

Love this clip, glad to see it back up for good in superb quality!

[@Mudge07]

Unlike Crackerjack or TOTP, a live pop group performance on a kids show was a rarity; Blue Peter did pipe and brass bands ,and Ewan McGregor, a favour. Those minor technical hitches just add to the reality factor. Hate the way the drums are mixed out of recognition, sounding like the boxes Mark once used to substitute for proper kit! I probably missed the original broadcast as it would’ve been on a Saturday, lie-in timeframe, but ‘73’s sandwich challenge was an alternative to the Auntie Beeb’s polished chaos .

[@porroh869]

Good stuff 👏👏

[@martinwarner3593]

This was broadcast on May 21, the same day as the FA Cup Final.....not sure why it says April 28 as Stuart only wrote IABC late April of that year I know this as I was running the fan club at the time and clearly remember BC filming this late May Anyone else notice a young Sandi Totsvig?

[@BC1000Stars]

Kid Jensen as well?

[@BC1000Stars]

Thanks Martin, I'll update the info.

[@tadada90125]

Thank you for uploading Andy! Stay safe!

[@BC1000Stars]

Happy New Year, Tada. You too!

[@redhoodypersonlol32422]

Great video

[@petecole]

love x

[@steveofadown]

The day after I left school 🏫

[@jonnysmith9124]

fantastic. Just wondered if Stuart broke a string at the end of IABC as he doesn't play the outro. He looks like he needs a few more dance moves.

[@padraigsisk4057]

Well it showed how good Bruce was. My malcolm young of this world

[@BC1000Stars]

I think his amp may have packed it in? He looks like he tries to play but realises nothing is happening.

[@bo0tsy1]

Not the best mix, sounds like the bbc chad took a day off. Snare should snap not sound like toms.