NCH Landmarks: Something Happens

Tom Dunne vocals
Ray Harman guitars
Alan Byrne bass
Eamonn Ryan drums
Alan Connor keyboards/guitars
John Walsh brass

In this occasional series, leading Irish artists perform their landmark album and music from their career.

In a special NCH Landmarks concert at the National Concert Hall, Something Happens return to the stage to celebrate two albums that played a defining role in their story. This special performance will see the band perform Been There, Seen That, Done That and Stuck Together With God’s Glue in full, revisiting songs that have remained part of the Irish musical landscape for more than three decades. 

Something Happens are a long-established Dublin band whose songs and live performances have earned them a loyal following over several decades. Formed in the mid-1980s, the classic lineup — Tom Dunne (vocals), Ray Harman (guitar), Alan Byrne (bass) and Eamonn Ryan (drums) — became known for concise songwriting, melodic guitar lines and an engaging approach to live shows. 

Emerging from the Irish indie scene of the time, the band built momentum through regular gigging and early releases such as the live EP I Know Ray Harman, which reflected their strength as a live act. These early recordings helped establish their reputation and led to wider attention both on stage and on record. 

Their debut studio album, Been There, Seen That, Done That, was released in 1988 on Virgin Records and included songs such as “Forget Georgia”, “Burn Clear”, “Beach” and “Tall Girls Club”, tracks that continue to feature in their live sets. The follow-up album, Stuck Together With God’s Glue, released in 1990, reached number one in Ireland and became their most commercially successful release.

Songs such as “Parachute” and “Hello Hello” remain closely associated with the band and are still well received by audiences. These tracks reflect the band’s straightforward melodic approach and have translated well across both recorded and live settings. 

Although large-scale international success remained limited, Something Happens continued to tour and record throughout their most active years, building a strong connection with audiences, particularly at home. Changes within the music industry and shifts in record label support did not diminish their commitment to performing or their relationship with listeners. 

Since the mid-1990s, the band have appeared more selectively, returning for occasional concerts and festival performances. These shows have been warmly received, drawing audiences who appreciate the familiarity of the material and the band’s relaxed on-stage dynamic.

Frontman Tom Dunne’s conversational style and distinctive voice remain central to the band’s live appeal, contributing to performances that feel informal and inclusive. For audiences attending this concert, the evening offers an opportunity to hear two significant albums performed in full by a band whose work continues to resonate with listeners across generations.

Presented by NCH