(HD) Big Country - Reading Hexagon - April 14, 1986 (Upscaled DVD)

The magnificent televised Whistle Test Extra gig from the Reading Hexagon - April 14, 1986

Alan Anbari has worked his upscaling magic on the footage and remixed the audio for a totally new experience watching this video. It's truly remarkable how much better it is than the footage that was added to the BBC Box Set DVD. It now presents in 1080p full HD and the sound is rich and full.

Alan explains some of the work that has gone into the clip with us here:

"The audio on this one was a bigger mess than the video (for once). The band were using a new, wireless system for the guitars and bass for the first time on tour. There were dropouts and weird changes in volume, because the sound guys kept trying to compensate on the sound board. I did my best to put everything right, but it got so bad that there was severe feedback twice in IABC. If you compare this whole video with the original DVD footage, you will discover that's all gone now. 🙂
Mark's drums sound fantastic in comparison to everything else (studio quality when heard in isolation!), so I started remixing from there. I know his levels didn't change much, and there were no dropouts. I am pleased we can hear Tony now, because he plays some great stuff! I raised the bass and did some EQing ... and voilà!
It's almost stereo now, compared to the mono TV sound."

00:00 Walk on to 'The Lark Ascending'
00:36 Wonderland
04:54 Where the Rose Is Sown
10:00 Remembrance Day
14:11 I Walk the Hill
17:42 Look Away
22:10 Chance
28:00 The Teacher
32:40 In A Big Country
38:53 Inwards
44:40 Harvest Home
48:59 Fields of Fire (Scratch version)

Welcome in 2025 with a great Big Country gig from the all conquering Seer Tour from 1986 in quality like you've never seen it in before!

Stay Alive in 2025!

[Rayruit]

Our name will NEVER die,
This time will be FOREVER.

[sandylearmonth]

Might be the most underrated band ever
Stuart was an amazing frontman and songwriter and don’t start me on the bass
Memories flood back to the 80’s

[darrynhughes]

No cameras just people living in the moment, just the way a great gig should be. What a band..

[shalsenburgerwhatsinaname]

I loved u2, simple minds etc. All in my heart. Im a scottish maori from nz. But big country band haunts me. Especially wjen i heard of lead singers death and way of dying. Fuk this world, throw the phones away, bring back the old days. Lets talk face to face again.

[ianjackson]

I've posted elsewhere, many times, stating this era, this line as THE best live act anywhere. Nobody seems to have disagreed on any of those posts

[rushyrr]

What a band, what a loss SA. I feel sorry for the youth of today missing out on this level of greatness live. 🤘

[ColeyBBQ]

23:57 oh lord! 15 years old. 3 tickets snagged from the fan club. Train to Reading. Met the band outside. Followed Bruce to Tesco. He bought fags. The security guy let us in 15 seconds before the door light went off. Ran faster than was possible when they opened. Got up against stage right in front of Stuart. Spent the next 3 hrs being crushed. Loved every second. Got a plectrum off Stuart. This is the first time I’ve been able to pick my face in it clearly. That’s me in the red tartan shirt waving at Stuart like starry eyed teenager ( I was!) Martin and Shaun my best mates either side of me. This makes me so emotional!
Thank you SO much for these uploads. Talk about memories!!

[granddesignsstudio]

I don't know what I would give to have been there and witnessed this band.

[Mr]

Just one of THE great bands , so many wonderful songs, so many great memories of a time long gone ...

[scottblack]

Saw them in Dublin in 1991, when they were considered "past their prime" and my gosh, the band were on FIRE all evening and I would even go as far to say that the early 1990's the band were so seasoned and didn't give a flying f### that they just played their hearts out for the love of music, no label, no TV crews, no one reviewing them for the weeklies, just the band in communion with their long standing fans. Sublime.

[neilcutler]

Simply the best RIP SA never to be replaced😥

[Toris-hn]

2025 and loving this more than ever. The only time I was lucky to see this band live was when supported Bowie on the Glass Spider tour. By Bowie’s own admission, that wasn’t a great tour but this lot had the place bouncing. Some warm up act! R.I.P. Stuart - miss you fella

[timmyjoe]

Class. The 80s music was the best decade of them all 💚💚💚

[neiltucker]

Great job. One of my favourite bands of all time.

[framurray]

i saw them in ireland on this concert tour, my first real concert at 16....still listen to them to this day...fantastic.

[ronwhitfield]

Saw them once…supporting David Bowie at Roker park on his Glass Spider tour…..Can’t say who I enjoyed the most …Big Country were fantastic!

[johnriozzi]

Saw them in Liverpool on this tour Best concert i have been to At there peak

[andrewthompson-od]

Whitley Bay concert on this tour was an awesome gig.packed out and fans outside.Stuart Adamson we loved you RIP

[paulmadryga]

They were a terrific band, on the cusp of true greatness. Peace to your memory, Adamson.

[jaford]

Stuart shows from @31:48-32:27 exactly why he was regarded as the British Jimi Hendrix...