The Undertones

On 5 November 2026, The Undertones bring their melody-driven punk rock to Cyprus Avenue in Cork. Formed in Derry in the mid-70s, the band built a direct, hook-forward sound: short songs, bright guitar riffs and lyrics drawn from adolescence, everyday life and tangled relationships. The original run moved fast, from the self-titled debut in 1979 to Hypnotised in 1980, laying out a tuneful power-pop edge; Positive Touch (1981) and The Sin of Pride (1983) opened the door to more crafted structures and pop-soul influences before the split the same year.

Reforming in the late 90s with Paul McLoone on vocals alongside John and Damian O’Neill, Michael Bradley and Billy Doherty, The Undertones picked up the thread on stage and in the studio with Get What You Need (2003) and Dig Yourself Deep (2007). Live, they stay close to what defines them: concise melodies, tight rhythms and a garage-tinged punch that keeps the songs lean. The set draws across the catalogue, from the early rush to later material, delivered with the clear, unfussy energy that has carried their writing from punk roots to power-pop drive.