Such Charming Men, The Undertones deliver an Epic Show

The Undertones and Ranking Roger Junior at Epic Studio, Norwich

15th October 2026

There is a scene in the Stanley Kubrick movie, The Shining when the supposed novel writer’s days of splendid isolation are revealed to be nothing more than a descent into darkness.  Day after day, he has repeatedly typed one line over hundreds of pages:

"All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy."

Well, I kind of understand where he was mentally, as all I want to type for this review is:

SUPERB SUPERB SUPERB SUPERB SUPERB SUPERB SUPERB SUPERB SUPERB SUPERB

You get the idea.

This is a picture of the set-list handed by an amiable security to a young lad being taken by his dad to see what his father was so excited about.  It made the boy’s day and it is a beautiful piece of memorabilia to be gifted. It may well be framed and displayed in mint condition for more than fifty years, which would see The Undertones being lovingly remembered in Norwich during 2076 and beyond. They deserve to be.

When we, the Norwich audience, are thanked, it is not just for ‘turning out’, it is for all our ‘kindness over the years’.  This is a genuinely heart-felt thanks.  You can feel the love from John O’Neil, Damien O’Neil, Billy Doherty, Micheal Bradley and youngster Paul McLoone for their work and the pleasure of playing their tunes to appreciative crowds.  It is fifty years since ‘Teenage Kicks’ was first pressed, but it has lasted the distance, as have many, many of their tunes. 'Jimmy Jimmy' was the opening song and all but one or two were warmly welcomed.

I must have been an idiot as a kid not to have heard the influence that The Ramones had on the O’Neills when they first starting playing music.  Today, it is so obvious. It is not only the short songs, the fast tempo, the simple yet totally satisfying chord changes, it is the use of harmonies and even the tone of the lyrics. These were not entirely tongue-in-cheek, but were little stories with a great chorus and a brief solo.  Classic punk.  To underline the playfulness of The Undertones, they didn’t ever dress up. It was all youthful pretending, just like playing air guitar, but with real instruments in a garage.

Fifty years on, here they are, singing songs about childhood, girlfriends and growing up, referencing school, girls and chocolate. Mars Bars was added to the encore because Michael Bradley had read, when visiting Norwich Cathedral that day, that the city once had a chocolate factory.  All innocent fun, (we'll skip the chocolate and insurance commercial links to the Atlantic slave trade, for now).

It was a bit disappointing that the band went through the encore ritual. The audience were not entirely sure whether the Epic Studio lights would go on after the five gentlemen said “Thank you very much. Good night.” and left the stage for the first time.  Only a few in the substantial crowd called for more, but back the band came before too long, with Michael wryly admitting, “As you can imagine, we don’t need much encouragement.”  The past fifty years has taken its toll on many and not everyone at Epic was able to prance about as enthusiastically as Paul McLoone, or hang about for an old skool encore.  Yet, it was worth hanging on for, as The Undertones played a fair few more numbers, including 'My Perfect Cousin.'

There were plenty of polo shirts, Harrington jackets and nostalgia tinged t-shirts out tonight, but despite the heavy-handed, two-tier security searching no one here was out for trouble. It was good fun in a mostly full hall. While Teenage Kicks came about halfway through the show, the reaction to each number was hearty.  I am sure many here had been at Carrow Road the night before, but each would have to admit that this was a far, far better atmosphere.

If you find your way to see The Undertones on this 50th Anniversary tour, once the novelty wears off of actually seeing this legendary group up on stage before your very eyes, you will settle into the sense of fun the band radiate and you will find yourself having a fine old time.

The opening act tonight, Ranking Roger Junior, also known as Ranking Junior, son of Ranking Roger from The Beat, was 'Keeping The Flag Flying' for his late father. Delivering Ska music, which was similarly popular when Punk Rock landed in the UK.  Ska can come across as two-paced music, (frantic and more frantic).  With lots of echo and a thumping jangle of musical instruments, no amount of jumping around the stage can hide the similarity of the songs.  The lyrics are vital, important and sharp, but against an unrelenting tempo, I found the set one-dimensional.  However, from those at the show who enjoy Ska, there were no complaints at all, they jumped around as if at an off-line IRL Zumba class.

Later on this extensive Undertones tour, running deep into 2027, opening acts vary and include the rebel rousing The Men They Couldn’t Hang, then Jim Bob, (from Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine), The Ruts and The Skids. All top quality live acts with extensive catalogues.

~

Spencer Ide

16th October 2026