80s megaband Cry Before Dawn set to play in Dundalk this Saturday

Forty years after signing to CBS Records (now Sony Music) and becoming one of Ireland's biggest rock bands, Cry Before Dawn are celebrating an extraordinary milestone with a new single, a nationwide summer tour which includes a date at the Spirit Store in Dundalk this Saturday, and a resurgence that few could have predicted.

Formed in Wexford in 1982, Cry Before Dawn helped define Irish rock in the late 1980s with their distinctive fusion of driving guitars, traditional Irish pipes and whistles, and unforgettable anthems that earned them a devoted following at home and abroad.

Following their international record deal in 1986, the band released two double platinum-selling albums, won IRMA Awards for Best Newcomer and Best Irish Group, toured extensively throughout Ireland, the UK and the United States, and twice sold-out Dublin's National Stadium, establishing themselves as one of the country's biggest live acts.

Although the band parted ways in 1990, their music never disappeared. A reunion in 2011 sparked a new chapter with the release of a Best Of collection, new recordings and a live album, before a full return to the stage reignited interest in one of Ireland's most influential rock bands.

Today, Cry Before Dawn are enjoying a remarkable revival. Their recent run of live performances has included consecutive sold-out nights at the Wexford Spiegeltent, three sold-out headline shows at Dublin's Whelan's, acclaimed appearances at major festivals including Forest Fest and Night & Day, and the release of their first vinyl record in more than 30 years.

The momentum continues this summer as the band embarks on a nationwide tour, performing songs that helped soundtrack a generation alongside their acclaimed new single, Where Are The Heroes.

Speaking ahead of the tour, lead singer Brendan Wade said: "It's incredible to still be performing these songs four decades on and to see audiences continuing to connect with the music.

“Every show brings together people who were there from the beginning alongside younger fans discovering Cry Before Dawn for the first time. That's something we never take for granted. We're incredibly proud of what we've achieved, but we're even more excited about what's happening now."

Rather than simply revisiting the past, Cry Before Dawn's current success reflects a band that has found a renewed audience. Long-time fans continue to fill venues around the country, while younger listeners are discovering the music for the first time through streaming platforms and live performances.

With four decades of music behind them and a reputation as one of Ireland's finest live bands firmly intact, Cry Before Dawn's summer tour promises to celebrate both the legacy of one of Ireland's most successful rock acts and the exciting new chapter they are continuing to write.

For tickets to this Saturday’s appearance in the Spirit Store, see https://spiritstore.ie/