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THE STUNNING are one of Ireland’s most enduring and beloved rock bands, formed in Galway in 1987 by brothers Steve and Joe Wall. From the beginning they carved out a distinctive sound — a vibrant mix of rock’n’roll energy, twangy guitars and touches of country-rock — that resonated with audiences across the country. Their commitment to great songwriting and electrifying live performances quickly set them apart, building a following that grew with every show.Their 1990 debut album, Paradise in the Picturehouse, became a runaway success, entering the Irish charts at No. 1 and staying there for five weeks. Packed with now-classic tracks including Brewing Up a Storm, Half Past Two and Romeo’s on Fire, the album established The Stunning as a major force in Irish music. Their follow-up, Once Around the World (1992), also debuted at No. 1 and produced more hits such as Everything That Rises and Heads Are Gonna Roll, confirming the band’s status as one of the country’s premier live and recording acts.
Although The Stunning disbanded in 1994, their legacy only grew. When they re-formed in 2003 to reissue their debut album independently, the response was overwhelming: their autumn tour became the highestgrossing tour in Ireland that year, with fans travelling from around the globe to see them. In 2012, around 30,000 people packed Galway’s docks for a free outdoor show — a remarkable homecoming that underscored the band’s enduring connection with their audience.
A new wave of international recognition arrived in 2025 when Brewing Up a Storm featured prominently in the hit Netflix series House of Guinness. Already regarded by many as an alternative Irish anthem — often used at Irish international rugby and football games — the song exploded into global consciousness. Thirtysix years after its release, it surged to No. 5 on the Shazam UK Viral Chart and reached No. 15 in its UK Top 200 as listeners around the world discovered the band for the first time.
Despite the decades, the group’s core continues unchanged: the same five musicians who began playing together in a Galway farmhouse still take the stage today. Their live shows remain exhilarating, showcasing not only their musicianship but a catalogue of songs that has stood the test of time while still sounding fresh and relevant.
In 2025, The Stunning released Stand Up in This Wicked World, their first new single in eight years. The accompanying video struck a powerful emotional chord, amplified when Paloma Faith and Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham shared it with more than one million combined followers on Instagram. The song has marked a bold new chapter for the band, proving they still have something vital to say.
From summer 2025 the band sold out the 4,000 capacity Big Top at the Galway International Arts Festival for the third time; headlined Night & day Fest and sold out two shows at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre with a third now added. Add to that, a run of shows across November and December, leading up to a major New Year’s Eve concert at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney with The Frank & Walters.
The same five lads who gathered in an old farmhouse to play music all those years ago in Galway are still enjoying the buzz of playing to fans old and new. Their live shows are a testament to their musicianship and a catalogue of songs that have stood the test of time and still sound fresh and relevant today.
With new music, renewed global attention and a reputation as one of Ireland’s finest live acts, The Stunning continue to captivate audiences old and new.
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Event Venue
King Johns Castle, Nicholas Street, Limerick, Ireland LK0, Ireland
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
