The lineup for this year’s Winterstorm Legends and Legacies has been announced, and the long weekend in Troon, Scotland, is looking like a spectacular place to spend time in November. The festival has been increased to three days, from Thursday, 23rd to Saturday 25th of November 2023, with details still to be announced for the After the ‘Storm event on Sunday, 26th.
Highlight on the main stage, The Steve Strange Stage, include three of the greatest guitar legends, Michael Schenker, Bernie Marsden and Uli Jon Roth.
The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal is covered, with Praying Mantis and Tygers of Pan Tang announced, along with the surprise inclusion 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.
Johnny Gioeli of US rockers Hardline will return, while heritage acts Focus, and songwriter and member of Argent, Russ Ballard, are confirmed. “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,” said founder Ian McCaig.
Other inclusions are Pat McManus (Mama’s Boys), Chantel McGregor and Jim Kirkpatrick (FM and WinterStorm catalyst!), along with German rockers The New Roses, Massive Wagons and Mason Hill.
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.
Over the years, the second Sessions Stage has grown both in volume and talent. Starting in 2016 as an acoustic stage, it will feature acts that could easily grace the main stage this year. The Thursday lineup, 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.
Since launching in 2016, WinterStorm has become a staple for both Scottish rock fans and many others from around the world.
“Almost 50% of the advance tickets were sold before any bands were announced,” Ian McCaig said. “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 now. For full lineup information and event details are available at winterstorm.co.uk.
