Ricky Warwick might have been born in Northern Ireland, but his band The Almighty haven't played in Belfast since they went over the f**kin' edge at Queen's University in 1993. That all changed on Saturday night [22nd November 2025] when the band hit the stage at the fabled Ulster Hall.
The Almighty formed in Scotland in 1988 featuring Ricky Warwick - who'd relocated to Glasgow by then - on guitar and vocals along with schoolfriends Stump Monroe on drums and Floyd London on bass, with Andy 'Tantrum' McCafferty on lead guitar. Shaking up the UK rock scene and peaking with a top five album in 'Powertrippin' in 1993, it seemed they could go far.
It wasn't to be however, and with Ricky going on to front Thin Lizzy, and then Black Star Riders, it seemed like The Almighty were gone for good. However all that changed in 2023, and two years down the line, the band are finally back in Belfast, picking up exactly where they left off over three decades ago.
It all kicks off with Wolfsbane, who complete a package that transports everyone back to pre-grunge 1991. The Tamworth terrors have lost none of their verve and are the perfect appetiser for what's to come.
This is however, unquestionably The Almighty's night, and instantly ripping into their first song ‘Taking Hold’ it's clear that the reinvigorated four-piece mean business. Drawing on the energy in the room, ‘Jonestown Mind’ and ‘Over the Edge’ follow, on what will prove a monstrous set list from a back catalogue that focuses exclusively on their glory years.
With the crowd head banging, throwing fists in the air, rocking out, and clapping with thunderous applause after every song, it seems there's no let up, with Floyd London's rumbling bass intro to ‘Welcome to Defiance’ only igniting things further.
In something that nobody could have seen coming, midway through, Warwick pauses to talk about a phone call he received from a fan of the band who stated that they; “were in a band you might have heard of called Snow Patrol.” With that, Snow Patrol and sometime Feeder guitarist Nathan Connolly ambles on stage for a punishing ‘Wrench’, which they through with such raw force that you would have thought they’d all have been playing for years together.
From there, it's all killer, no filler, with ‘Devil’s Toy’, ‘Jesus Loves You... But I Don’t’ and ‘Wild & Wonderful’ all proving particular highlights.
Returning to the stage for the encore with Warwick now adorned in a Northern Ireland football shirt with 'Warwick 88' on the back, it seems that everyone is in a sentimental mood, which peaks with closer 'Little Lost Sometimes', dedicated to “everyone missing a loved one.”
It's all going so well - too well - and with news that they are at risk of overrunning the 11pm curfew, for the first time in history perhaps, The Almighty do not perform 'Free 'n' Easy' live, and although disappointing, nothing can put a dampener on a night like this.
From what started out as a one-off reunion, it seems that The Almighty are back for good, and this concert was a statement that the band are still a force to be reckoned with. With The Almighty firing on all cylinders, you'd be a fool to miss them next time they're in your area.
Words by Matt Halliday. Check out our gallery from the show below. All photos by Warren Blair.
It wasn't to be however, and with Ricky going on to front Thin Lizzy, and then Black Star Riders, it seemed like The Almighty were gone for good. However all that changed in 2023, and two years down the line, the band are finally back in Belfast, picking up exactly where they left off over three decades ago.
It all kicks off with Wolfsbane, who complete a package that transports everyone back to pre-grunge 1991. The Tamworth terrors have lost none of their verve and are the perfect appetiser for what's to come.
This is however, unquestionably The Almighty's night, and instantly ripping into their first song ‘Taking Hold’ it's clear that the reinvigorated four-piece mean business. Drawing on the energy in the room, ‘Jonestown Mind’ and ‘Over the Edge’ follow, on what will prove a monstrous set list from a back catalogue that focuses exclusively on their glory years.
With the crowd head banging, throwing fists in the air, rocking out, and clapping with thunderous applause after every song, it seems there's no let up, with Floyd London's rumbling bass intro to ‘Welcome to Defiance’ only igniting things further.
In something that nobody could have seen coming, midway through, Warwick pauses to talk about a phone call he received from a fan of the band who stated that they; “were in a band you might have heard of called Snow Patrol.” With that, Snow Patrol and sometime Feeder guitarist Nathan Connolly ambles on stage for a punishing ‘Wrench’, which they through with such raw force that you would have thought they’d all have been playing for years together.
From there, it's all killer, no filler, with ‘Devil’s Toy’, ‘Jesus Loves You... But I Don’t’ and ‘Wild & Wonderful’ all proving particular highlights.
Returning to the stage for the encore with Warwick now adorned in a Northern Ireland football shirt with 'Warwick 88' on the back, it seems that everyone is in a sentimental mood, which peaks with closer 'Little Lost Sometimes', dedicated to “everyone missing a loved one.”
It's all going so well - too well - and with news that they are at risk of overrunning the 11pm curfew, for the first time in history perhaps, The Almighty do not perform 'Free 'n' Easy' live, and although disappointing, nothing can put a dampener on a night like this.
From what started out as a one-off reunion, it seems that The Almighty are back for good, and this concert was a statement that the band are still a force to be reckoned with. With The Almighty firing on all cylinders, you'd be a fool to miss them next time they're in your area.
Words by Matt Halliday. Check out our gallery from the show below. All photos by Warren Blair.
