Music
Celebrate all things Irish with these UK tours
With Flogging Molly announcing headline shows across the UK this morning, and that little thing called St Patrick’s Day, here’s how you can celebrate the best of Irish in the coming months.
To mark the day of the year where a lot of the world grabs everything green from the wardrobe, partakes in some lighthearted drinking and, well, gets downright Irish, we’ve pulled together some of the upcoming tours set to take that St Patrick’s Day spirit on the road.
Flogging Molly
Celtic punk masters Flogging Molly have just announced some headline UK dates, fittingly on St Patrick’s Day. Fronted by fully-fledged Irish vocalist Dave King, their songs celebrate their native land. When it’s not all-out Irish party time, it’s folk storytelling at its best. [Tickets]
Here are those dates:
27 June – O2 Ritz, Manchester
28 June – O2 Institute, Birmingham
29 June – O2 Forum Kentish Town, London
U2
The undisputed kings of Irish rock, U2 don’t really need an introduction. When they announced they’ll be headlining London’s vast Twickenham Stadium in July, tickets were unsurprisingly snapped up very quickly. They’ve since announced a second date, so everyone can rejoice as Bono and co serenade the masses with their iconic Joshua Tree album. [Tickets]
The Cranberries
International sensations The Cranberries have in their time celebrated four top 20 albums in the US Billboard 200 chart, kicking off with their Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? debut back in 1993. They’ll be releasing an unplugged album titled Something Else later this year, before hitting the road across the UK in May. [Tickets]
The Divine Comedy
Fronted by Neil Hannon, The Divine Comedy have been making their own style of quirky pop since they formed in 1989. 11 years into their career, the band released Foreverland last year. They’ve announced a few live shows during the summer, not least a huge appearance at the stunning Kelvingrove Bandstand in Glasgow on the 2 June 2017. [Tickets]
Imelda May
Born and raised in Dublin, Imelda May merges her early influences with a rockabilly jive. She emerged onto the scene properly in 2003, releasing her debut No Turning Back album. She now has four full-length records under her belt, with the fifth (Life Love Flesh Blood) just around the corner. She’s hitting the road across the UK in support of the record from early May. [Tickets]
The Undertones
Irish punk is an institution all its own, and The Undertones have a lot to do with that. They launched onto the scene in the late 1970s with their self-titled debut, featuring the iconic Teenage Kicks. With Paul McLoone on vocal duties since 1999, they’ll be back on the road in November this year as well as appearing at Isle Of Wight Festival. [Tickets]
Stiff Little Fingers
Another bunch of Irish punk veterans, Stiff Little Fingers also released their debut record back in 1979. They last dropped No Going Back in 2014, with original vocalist and guitarist Jake Burns still at the helm. They are currently on the road across the UK, before returning to their Belfast home for Belsonic in August. [Tickets]
It just goes to show the diversity in music, and the importance of Irish musical history. Now top up those glasses and get celebrating. Happy St Patrick’s Day all.
