THE UNDERTONES : 02 Academy, Birmingham

Apr 5 2011

It's three and a half decades since they performed their first gig in a scout hut in Derry.

Now The Undertones have embarked on a celebratory tour of the UK to mark the milestone, and played their second date at Birmingham’s O2 Academy on Friday night.

Former lead singer Feargal Sharkey isn’t joining the band for the reunion shows, in which they play their eponymously named debut LP in its entirity.

But they still managed to pull a crowd and to pack a punch with their punk pop hits, including the iconic Teenage Kicks and My Perfect Cousin.

Their teenage years are well and truly over, but the five members had plenty of energy and enthusiasm to entertain.

Sharkey’s replacement Paul McLoone was especially impressive and fronted the band with passion.

The crowd appeared to be largely made up from a loyal fan-base, relishing the chance to rock out and to relive happy memories from their heady days of youth.

There were some younger faces too, possibly eager to see a band which has won much critical acclaim throughout its career, including radio presenter John Peel naming Teenage Kicks as his most favoured song ever.

Fionnuala Bourke