# Fifty years after forming, Northern Ireland’s finest The Undertones are in the mood to celebrate

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/fifty-years-after-forming-northern-irelands-finest-the-undertones-are-in-the-mood-to-celebrate/
- Published: 2026-11-10T07:05:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-10T07:18:34+00:00
- Original publisher: Louder
- Original article: https://www.loudersound.com/bands-artists/undertones-tour-interview
- Topics: UK, World

## Key points

- The Undertones are celebrating 50 years with a UK and Ireland tour.
- John O’Neil says the band has six or seven new songs.
- The reunited group performs with singer Paul McLoone.

## Summary

The Undertones are marking 50 years since forming in Derry with a UK and Ireland anniversary tour, a milestone for a band that split in 1983 and reunited 16 years later. Original rhythm guitarist John O’Neil says he enjoys performing but dislikes travelling, and is unsure how long he will continue touring.

O’Neil recalled the band’s early hits, their shift towards a more soulful sound on 1983’s *The Sin Of Pride*, and Feargal Sharkey’s departure before the split. The reunited group features singer Paul McLoone and has released two albums with him; O’Neil says they now have six or seven new songs that may come out as EPs. The tour starts in Torquay on 12 November, and the band continues to play familiar songs including “Teenage Kicks” and “My Perfect Cousin”.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.