Reunion concert from The Commitments

TO CELEBRATE the 20th anniversary of what is probably Ireland’s favourite homegrown film, popular ’90s band The Commitments have reunited for a series of reunion concerts.
Featuring Andrew Strong, Robert Arkins, ­Angeline Ball, Bronagh Gallagher, Michael Aherne, Glen Hansard, Felim Gormley, Dave Finnegan, Ken McCluskey and Dick Massey, the group will bring their own soul style back to the Irish.
As the film itself said all those years ago, “soul is the music people understand. Sure it’s basic and it’s simple.
“But it’s something else ’cause, ‘cause, ’cause it’s honest, that’s it. It sticks its neck out and says it straight from the heart.”
It was 1991 when the film The Commitments burst onto movie screens and into the hearts and souls of music lovers across the world. More than 12 million people have a copy of The Commitments movie soundtrack in their music collection.
Now, for the first time ever, the original cast will re-unite for a limited run of concerts in March 2011, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the hugely popular film.
The original cast of The Commitments will perform in The Royal Theatre, Castlebar, County Mayo on March 14; The INEC in Killarney, County Kerry on March 15; The Odyssey, Belfast on March 17 and the O2, Dublin on March 19.
Tickets are already selling, so anyone who wants to catch The Commitments should get their tickets straight away.
A donation will be made to the Irish Cancer Society for every ticket sold and the cast hope to raise over €30,000 for the charity.
The concerts will be full-blown soul extravaganzas with songs from the movie and many added extras.
A spokesman for the reunion tour said that a few of the members of the band, recognising the impending anniversary, started looking into the possibility of a series of reunion gigs.
“Pretty soon, a team was coming together including Paul Bushnell who was the music ­director on the movie and co-produced the soundtrack CDs with Kevin Killen and Alan Parker.
“There was a united feeling that it could be a really good thing, that a burst of Irish soul might bring a glide back into people’s stride and raise morale a little in the midst of this climate of doom and gloom,” he commented.
Of the upcoming shows, Andrew Strong said, “The Commitments has inspired so many people all over the world which in turn has given me a career and the respect and ability to do the one thing I love to do the most, ­ sing.
“So for that reason alone, to take a few ­evenings to relive and perform this ­memorable occasion is not a lot to ask, considering the ­amazing journey my life has carved for itself due to my involvement in The Commitments.”
Bronagh Gallagher (Bernie McGloughlin) adds, “I have been through many emotions regarding The Commitments reunion but after I met everyone in Dublin last month and we sang and played and then had a good chat about how we all felt, the decision was just there in front of us.
“I was so happy to see everyone again and I believe it’s a new time and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate such a special film with all the Irish people who loved it so much too. I have life long friendships due to my involvement in it and I’m honoured to have been.
“With our performances next year, we aim to stimulate positivity, pride and happiness back into our beautiful country and people after the very hard road the Irish people have been on,” she said.