Bay City Rollers' legend is looking forward to Mayo gig
Stuart Wood is bringing his Bay City Rollers to the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar in February.
Iconic tartan-clad hitmakers the Bay City Rollers will relive the carefree glory days of the 1970s when they roll into the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre for an unforgettable nostalgic night in the new year.
Rollers’ legend Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood, who joined the band at the age of 17 in late 1973, spoke to the about the journey the group has been on in the last few years.
“It feels great to have this momentum and I feel very lucky to still be able to do it,” he said.
“I feel so lucky that we have so many songs people remember so well. We started doing this in 2017 and we’ve been to the United States, Canada, Germany and more.
“I joined back in November 1973 and the song was in the charts a few months later and people still love that song. When you play through an hour and a half of hit songs that people still remember, you realise that we’re really lucky to have that behind us, all well as the support.”
Woody has brought together a talented group of musicians who embody the essence of the original band the world knew and loved with Ian Thomson on lead vocals and guitar, Marcus Cordock on bass guitar, Steve Morrison on drums and Woody on guitar. This new line-up is continuing to entertain long-time fans while also attracting a younger generation of listener.
“There have been a lot of changes now since the band first got together but the attitude is still young and fresh. A lot of older fans bring their kids along to the concerts, of course, some of the kids might be in their 30s!” he said.
“There have been so many films out with Bay City Rollers songs in them, plays in and then when people get married, is often played.”
Although the years have passed by, Rollermania is still alive and kicking and the band has had a fresh injection of energy in recent months with the release of a new album, , and the announcement of a Bay City Rollers musical opening next autumn. The mantra behind their hit song rings true coming into 2025 for the Bay City Rollers.
Woody said he is looking forward to bringing the band with this new lease of life to the TF Royal Theatre in February.
“Every time we go to Ireland, it has always been great fun. We played in the North, in Dublin, all over the place. The band loves going to Ireland, there’s a connection there,” he said.
“The Irish love the Scots and the Scots love the Irish, we always have a good time over there.”
He closes the interview with one final request.
“Please remind all your readers to wear their tartan, we’re going to have a great night,” he said.
The Bay City Rollers play the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre on February 15, 2025. Tickets on sale now, priced from €35.65 (plus fees). Visit www.tfroyal.ie or book by calling the TF Royal Box Office at 094-9023111.
