WinterStorm is a music festival held annually in the seaside town of Troon, South Ayrshire.
History Since 2016 it has been held in Troon Town Hall, a location that overlooks the beach and the Firth of Clyde. The event is split over two stages, the Main Stage hosts the headline acts in the Concert Hall, it has a capacity of 600 standing plus 250 seated upstairs. The second stage, known as the Sessions Stage, has a capacity of 160 and hosts up and coming bands and artists as well as an acoustic event on the Sunday following WinterStorm; known as After the 'Storm. StormBreakers, a Battle of the Bands type event, has been held to give acts a chance to win a place on the Sessions Stage.
WinterStorm was conceived by Ian McCaig who is also the Festival Director and promoter of South Beach Sessions. South Beach Sessions is an ongoing programme of live music events which have included bands such as Rhino's Revenge, Pat McManus, Big Country, Stiff Little Fingers, Snakecharmer as well as a number of tribute acts.
The volunteer staff that run the event are known as 'StormTroopers. The main stage event is compared by Tom Russell, with Pete K Mally comparing the Sessions Stage.
WinterStorm branded merchandise and catering includes-
WinterStormer Ayrshire Pie - Brownings the Bakers based in Kilmarnock. WinterStormin Ices - Ayrshire Ice Cream makers The Forum Cafe. Strathaven Ales WinterStorm Ale Cask Beer. Winterstorm stick of rock. The Arran Mountains (Goat Fell) that can be seen from the Troon venue are the inspiration behind the WinterStorm logo.
Regular features of WinterStorm include-
The WinterStorm Deckchair - a giant 6-foot deckchair available for bands and festival goers to have their photograph taken on. The WinterStorm Beach Clean - volunteers clean Troon Beach on the morning of the second day. For their efforts they receive a goody bag and a wee dram of whisky.
In November 2019, The Temple of the King Bench was unveiled. It was an original design iron-worked bench installed on the beach promenade. It acts as a memorial for lost musicians and absent friends. The dedication was supported by the Troon Blackrock Pipe Band and Doogie White who played an acoustic version of "The Temple of the King" (by Rainbow) - whose lyrics are inscribed on the bench "With just one wave of his strong right hand – he's gone to the Temple of the King".
In 2018, WinterStorm launched a charity single. It is a cover of AC/DC’s "It's A Long Way to the Top" featuring 1st Troon Boys Brigade Pipe Band. Side B has a cover "Bad Motor Scooter" a song by Montrose. Musicians that played on the single were Chris Glen (Sensational Alex Harvey Band), Doogie White (Rainbow and Michael Schenker Group) and Paul Mcmanus (GUN). The organizations to benefit from the single are dementia-based charity Playlist For Life and the See Me project aimed at reducing the stigma of mental health in youths.
At WinterStorm V the Main Stage was officially renamed to the Steve Strange Stage in memory of the Northern Irish music agent, who died on 25 September 2021. 2016 - WinterStorm I +South Beach Acoustic Sessions StageDay 1 – Friday 25 NovemberDay 2 – Saturday 26 NovemberColin Kennedy BandAudiohausJamie AngusScarlett RandallMandulu & Hephzibah2DKris MulhollandStoney BrokeLisa KowalskiSteve GrozierNovember LightsLong Day LivingGordon HarrowFallen ArchesRedwood Ridge +Main StageDay 1 – Friday 25 NovemberDay 2 – Saturday 26 NovemberFMRicky Warwick Fighting HeartsToselandLast In LinePraying MantisIngloriousTygers of Pan TangThe AmorettesThe King LotVegaConcrete KingdomsMason HillBloodlinesThe Hyena Kill
2017 - WinterStorm II +Jägermeister Sessions StageFriday 24th - Saturday 25 NovemberLisa KowalskiStone PonyUpshotAnna SweeneyDerek MartinJamie AngusLosing GroundKen O’HaraMatt ScottRedwood RidgeScott NichollMendualu & Hephzibah +Main StageDay 1 – Friday 24 NovemberDay 2 – Saturday 25 NovemberHeavy Pettin’Glen White McManusTykettoThe QuireboysBernie MarsdenGraham Bonnet BandPraying MantisDAREStone BrokenTygers of Pan TangAttica RageMason HillSyteriaRock GoddessBigfootMassive WagonsTill Death Do Us PartThe King LotAnchor LaneBlack King Cobra
2018 - WinterStorm III +Jägermeister South Beach Sessions Stage Day 1 – Friday 23 November Day 2 – Saturday 24 November Concrete Kingdoms Black King Cobra ZANG Syteria Reds’ Cool Burnt Out Wreck Rising Souls Terry Brock Mandulu & Hephzibah Twin Heart The Brink Matt Pearce & The Mutiny Redwood Ridge Resin Till Death Do Us Part Katalina Kicks +Main StageDay 1 – Friday 23 November Day 2 – Saturday 24 November GUNGlen White McManus MagnumThe Dead DaisiesSin DogsWayward SonsOliver/Dawson SaxonGeoff Tate's Operation MindcrimeThe New RosesGirlschoolAnchor LaneBernie TormeQuartzEden’s Curse DepartedNo Hot Ashes Tomorrow is LostTrucker Diablo Kane’d Everyday Heroes +After the ‘Storm Acoustic SessionsDay 3 – Sunday 25 November Steve OverlandGeoff TateTerry Brock
2019 - WinterStorm IV +Day 1 – Friday 29 NovemberDay 2 – Saturday 30 NovemberAblaze Mad Haven Hollowstar Joanovarc Gin Annie Everyday Heroes Uproar Dead Man’s Whiskey Toi Baleful Creed Swamp Born Assassins Tomorrow is Lost Darkness Divine IDestroy +Main StageDay 1 – Friday 29 NovemberDay 2 – Saturday 30 NovemberSkid RowGlen White McManus FMLast in LineDiamond HeadH.E.A.T.Myke Gray ft Kim JennettUli Jon RothPete Way BandTygers of Pan TangThose Damn CrowsPraying MantisGrand SlamThe AmorettesPat McManus BandThe Brink Outlaw Orchestra Burnt Out Wreck Control the Storm +After the ‘Storm Acoustic SessionsDay 3 – Sunday 1 DecemberNathan JamesUli Jon RothDanny Vaughn
2020 - WinterStorm V (Cancelled) WinterStorm V was due to take place on Friday 27th and Saturday 28 November 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The announced lineup at the time of postponement was: - +South Beach Sessions StageFriday 27th – Saturday 28 NovemberBeth Blade Chemia Daxx & Roxanne Empyre King Creature Nitroville Rigid Soul Scarlet Rebels She Burns Red Sons of Liberty Tantura Vultura Theia Wildheart +Main StageFriday 27th – Saturday 28 NovemberAli Maas & Micky Moody Collateral Gin Annie Glass TigerHardlineHollowstar Mason HillThe New RosesVandenbergVardisWeapon UK Witchfynde
2021 - WinterStorm V +Jägermeister South Beach Sessions StageDay 1 – Friday 26 NovemberDay 2 – Saturday 27 NovemberSons of Liberty Beth Blade & The Beautiful Disasters Fallen Mafia Daxx & Roxanne Jason Sweeney Bastette She Burns Red EMPYRE Battalion of Flies White Raven Down Rigid Soul +Main StageDay 1 – Friday 26 NovemberDay 2 – Saturday 27 NovemberGUNKing KingIngloriousHardlineMason HillTribute to Steve Strange Cats in SpaceAlcatrazzGeordieGirlschoolHollowstar Anchor Lane Florence Black Weapon UK Bad Actress Chantelle McGregor Collateral Gin Annie +After the ‘Storm Acoustic SessionsDay 3 – Sunday 28 NovemberNathan JamesThe Nimmo BrothersToby Jepson
2022 - WinterStorm VI +Sessions StageDay 1 - Friday 25 NovemberDay 2 - Saturday 26 NovemberFalse HeartsStay For TomorrowStormchaserPete K Mally Stand UpNovustoryCassidy Paris KinstrifeThe ReinforcementsDawn After DarkNorth AtlasThe Outfit (with Chris Glen) New Generation SuperstarsKinstrifeWicked Smile +The Steve Strange Main StageDay 1 - Friday 25 NovemberDay 2 - Saturday 26 NovemberEdge of ForeverClann an DrummaAbsolvaSons of LibertyDaytime TVHardwicke CircusSari SchorrAshen ReachKingdom of Madness: Classic Magnum Rebecca DownesBlaze BayleyMarco Mendoza Scarlet RebelsSunstormEclipseVardisThe TreatmentCrazy Lixx +After the 'Storm Acoustic SessionsSunday 27 NovemberRonnie RomeroJohn CorabiSandi Thom +After the ‘StormSunday 27 NovemberBig CountryFrom The JamThe Skids
2023 - WinterStorm VII - "Legends and Legacies" In a change to the usual Friday and Saturday festival format, and After the 'Storm on Sunday, The Legends and Legacies of WinterStorm features the addition of a Thursday night line-up, and will touch on the best of the past seven years. Bernie Marsden was on the original Saturday line-up, but sadly passed in August 2023. He was replaced by Graham Bonnet and Tyketto. +Sessions StageDay 1 - Thursday 23 NovemberDay 2 - Friday 24 NovemberDay 3 - Saturday 25 NovemberMatt Pearce And The MutinyNoturnallThe BrinkSin DogsBastetteWicked SmileBad ActressThe PenetrationsSyteriaGlasgowPete K Mally Stand UpRigid SoulElectric GypsyChantel McGregor AcousticThe Blue Lena +The Steve Strange Main StageDay 1 - Thursday 23 NovemberDay 2 - Friday 24 NovemberDay 3 - Saturday 25 NovemberMichael Schenker GroupMassive WagonsGraham BonnetThe New RosesUli Jon RothTykettoChez KaneFMPraying MantisThe Pat McManus BandFocusDoogie White and FriendsRomeo's DaughterTygers of Pan TangAshen ReachGin AnniePaul Di'AnnoClann An DrummaJim KirkpatrickChantel McGregorLyin RampantTrucker DiabloCassidy Paris
+After the ‘StormSunday 26 NovemberDanny VaughnThe Nimmo BrothersJason Sweeney
See also Hammerfest Hard Rock Hell Ramblin' Man Fair Download Festival
References
External links Official website