Brit Rock heroes Thunder returned to Belfast on Friday night (31st March) for a sold out show at the city's Mandela Hall. Making their first appearance in Northern Ireland in four years, the five-piece received a heroes' welcome as they tore through their impressive catalogue.
Photo: Jimmy Little Jnr.
By Eamon O'Neill On 3rd April 2017.
Brit Rock heroes Thunder returned to Belfast on Friday night (31st March) for a sold out show at the city's Mandela Hall. Making their first appearance in Northern Ireland in four years, the five-piece received a heroes' welcome as they tore through their impressive catalogue on the final night of their current UK and Ireland jaunt.
Kicking off with a brace of material from latest release 'Rip It Up' in opener 'No One Gets Out Alive' and follow-up 'The Enemy Inside', the London band - led by guitar playing anchor Luke Morley and energetic front man Danny Bowes proved exactly why they're so lauded after almost thirty years in existence.
In an echo of their first ever appearance in Belfast back in November 1989 at the long gone Rosetta Inn, the band also played plenty of material from debut album 'Backstreet Symphony'. As well as the title track and roof-lifting 'Love Walked In', Morley and co delighted with the atmospheric and rarely played 'Don't Wait For Me', from that same debut release.
In a celebratory mood from the off, Bowes greeted the crowd saying; "Good Evening Belfast, are you okay? This is the last night of the tour, so you've got to go completely mental - you can do that, yes?" And celebrate they did, as the sultry 'I Love You More Than Rock And Roll' - featuring guitarist / keyboardist Ben Matthews on cowbell - bled into the encore of 'Wonder Days' and an uproarious 'Dirty Love'.
Taking their bows, a delighted Bowes said; "I must say Belfast, you are truly insane, and we salute you for it. What a way to end the tour!"
Thunder's 'Rip It Up' tour continues on 17th April, when the band begin a run of shows on the continent. For a full list of dates, visit the band's official website.
Check out our exclusive pictures from the show, below. All pictures by Jimmy Little Jnr.
Brit Rock heroes Thunder returned to Belfast on Friday night (31st March) for a sold out show at the city's Mandela Hall. Making their first appearance in Northern Ireland in four years, the five-piece received a heroes' welcome as they tore through their impressive catalogue on the final night of their current UK and Ireland jaunt.
Kicking off with a brace of material from latest release 'Rip It Up' in opener 'No One Gets Out Alive' and follow-up 'The Enemy Inside', the London band - led by guitar playing anchor Luke Morley and energetic front man Danny Bowes proved exactly why they're so lauded after almost thirty years in existence.
In an echo of their first ever appearance in Belfast back in November 1989 at the long gone Rosetta Inn, the band also played plenty of material from debut album 'Backstreet Symphony'. As well as the title track and roof-lifting 'Love Walked In', Morley and co delighted with the atmospheric and rarely played 'Don't Wait For Me', from that same debut release.
In a celebratory mood from the off, Bowes greeted the crowd saying; "Good Evening Belfast, are you okay? This is the last night of the tour, so you've got to go completely mental - you can do that, yes?" And celebrate they did, as the sultry 'I Love You More Than Rock And Roll' - featuring guitarist / keyboardist Ben Matthews on cowbell - bled into the encore of 'Wonder Days' and an uproarious 'Dirty Love'.
Taking their bows, a delighted Bowes said; "I must say Belfast, you are truly insane, and we salute you for it. What a way to end the tour!"
Thunder's 'Rip It Up' tour continues on 17th April, when the band begin a run of shows on the continent. For a full list of dates, visit the band's official website.
Check out our exclusive pictures from the show, below. All pictures by Jimmy Little Jnr.
