Royal Theatre
Still Brewing Up a Storm 25 Years On
By Declan Durcan
26, Oct 2012 - 07:34

Stunning 25th Anniversary!

THE STUNNING

Royal Theatre, Castlebar.

Thurs 27th December | Doors 8pm, Show 9pm | €25

The Stunning. Pic: Graham Smith.

It's hard to believe, but exactly 25 years ago in 1987, in a rented farmhouse, The Stunning was born. One of the most successful Irish bands of the nineties, they bring their magic to The Royal Theatre this Christmas - it's one of the most talked about gigs this year.

In the first seven years that The Stunning were together, they toured relentlessly building up a huge and loyal following. In 1990 their debut album ‘Paradise In The Picturehouse' spent five weeks at number one and became one of the most-loved Irish albums of all time.

Their follow up ‘Once Around The World' also hit the No. 1 spot, and the band went on to sell over 100,000 albums in Ireland alone. ‘Brewing Up A Storm' has become an anthem heard everywhere around the country, and featured on the TV promo for the RTÉ Big Music Week 2012. Songs such as ‘Half Past Two', ‘Romeo's on Fire', and ‘Everything that Rises' are still to be heard daily and have been featured in movies and numerous compilation albums. The band toured the US and the UK with Bob Dylan and the B52s, scooped every music prize and award going and were constantly on National Radio and TV.

President Michael D. Higgins even guested on the band's 'Tightrope' album and The Stunning supported him throughout his 2011 presidential campaign!

All the band members are still actively making music including frontmen Steve and Joe who formed the 'The Walls' and released their third album 'Stop the Lights' in March 2012. At the request of many of their fans, in 2003 they decided they would reform every two years and have since played to capacity crowds at Electric Picnic and many other festivals and venues.

The live shows feature all the massive hit tracks and the band line-up comprises all the original members including guitarist Derek Murray, Cormac Dunne on drums, and Jim Higgins, Trumpet / percussion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7UNXa8LFno

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HptaPHlAO2s&feature=related