STOCKTON'S WING released their first new music in more than 20 years last month with the single 'We Had It All', and they play Galway next week as part of their 'A Retrospective Tour'.
All proceeds from 'We Had It All' is going to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland. “Two of my close musician friends, Mark Gilligan and Niall Ó Callanáin, have been living with MS for a number of years," Stockton's Wing leader Mike Hanrahan explains. "Their courage and determination to adjust their lives through sheer positive thinking is inspirational."
Throughout the 1980s Stockton's Wing were one of Ireland's most popular bands through their combination of Irish trad, pop, and rock; singles like 'Walk Away' and the haunting 'Beautiful Affair'; and a following built up through relentless gigging, and performances at festivals up and down the country. Even if you do not know their music, you have heard it without realising it. Listen to the theme-tune of Joe Duffy's Liveline - that's SW's 'Over The Moor'.
They originally called it a day in 1995 but have regrouped from time to time. Their current return has already seen a successful run of gigs at Temple Bar TradFest 2016 and a Galway International Arts Festival show in 2017.
"We were adventurers in every sense," said Hanrahan, "with no boundaries and no pressures. We created a new innovative sound and our gigs were always happy and energetic occasions."
Stockton's Wing play the Town Hall Theatre on Friday May 10 at 8pm. Tickets are via 091 - 569777 or www.tht.ie
