The Undertones
Location: O2 Academy
The Undertones are back with their latest tour featuring special guests Ruts DC. Coming to Glasgow’s O2 Academy on 2nd October 2026.
The Undertones have announced a number of shows in 2023 to celebrate 45 years of their most influential and famous song, Teenage Kicks. The Derry five-piece will be joined by a host of special guests.
The Undertones emerged from Derry in 1976. The result of five friends (John O’Neill, Damian O’Neill, Feargal Sharkey, Billy Doherty and Michael Bradley) learning how to play basic rock and roll.
Even by the standards of that decade Derry was not the rock and roll capital of anywhere. With no live bands worth watching, they learned by listening to mail order records. Reading one of the few copies of NME that made it to Derry but most of all from listening to John Peel’s wonderful show on BBC Radio One. Practicing in their bedrooms eventually led to the band recording John O’Neill’s ‘Teenage Kicks’ in 1978 on Terri Hooley’s Good Vibrations label in Belfast. The legendary DJ John Peel received a copy and liked it so much he played it twice in a row on his radio show.
Signed with Sire Records
The Undertones signed with Sire Records and ‘Teenage Kicks’ was re- released. Resulting in the band’s first appearance on Top Of The Pops. Over the next five years, John O Neill, crafted further pop gems such as `Here Comes The Summer`. As well as ‘Jimmy Jimmy`, `You’ve Got My Number (Why Don’t You Use It)’ and ‘Wednesday Week’. Whilst Damian O’Neill and Michael Bradley contributed ‘My Perfect Cousin. They also recorded four highly acclaimed LPs. Indeed, they almost enjoyed the life of professional musicians. In 1983 Feargal Sharkey left the band to pursue a solo career and the remaining members decided to call it a day. The Undertones were to remain silent for the next sixteen years.
In 1999 The Undertones reconvened to once again perform their two-minute, three and a half chord songs to a new generation of fans. Fellow Derryman Paul McLoone replaced Feargal Sharkey and his vocal prowess and electric onstage presence soon convinced any doubters that he was more than capable of doing the job. Over the last 25 years since they reformed, The Undertones have toured around the world and are playing better than ever. This convinced the band that it’s about time they record and release a first ever live album.
Formed in Greenhills
Formed in Greenhills, schooled in Athens Georgia, the Happens brought glorious guitar edged melodies to audiences the world over. The debut, Been There Seen That Done That, produced in Dublin by punk icon Tommy Ramone–the man who formed the Ramones-produced such Irish chart-topping hits as Burn Clear, Beach, Take This with You and Forget Georgia. But it was the follow up, Stuck Together with God’s Glue, recorded in Los Angeles with Ed Stasium that really caught the wind. It topped the charts as Ireland prepared for its first ever world cup. As Jackie’s army and Feile 90 captured a nation in full swing, the Hello Hello, Parachute, What Now and Kill the Roses soundtracked Ireland’s summer of love.
As the UK pivoted in a Madchester direction the Happens signed to a cool US indie label. Two more albums followed Planet Fabulous and Alan, Elvis and God, and an incredible 14 US tours. The biggest song there became Momentary Thing, included in the Veronica Mars TV series.
There were many other highlights: numerous Best Live Act accolades. A surprise top three hit in Belgium, tours of Holland and Switzerland. Bouncing beach balls, paisley shirts, Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit being described as the Something Happens tribute of the Week in NME. An NME single of week, the freedom of San Jose, three nights in the SFX, two mini live albums, opening for Horslips at their comeback show in the 02, it goes on and on
