Entertainment

Commitments star Andrew Strong gearing up for Glenarm gig

Soul star Andrew Strong made his name on the big screen in The Commitments 25 years ago and has been touring the world ever since. Ahead of a gig in Glenarm this summer, he talks to Brian Campbell

Andrew Strong headlines the Dalriada Festival at Glenarm Castle in Co Antrim in mid-July
Andrew Strong headlines the Dalriada Festival at Glenarm Castle in Co Antrim in mid-July Andrew Strong headlines the Dalriada Festival at Glenarm Castle in Co Antrim in mid-July

IT was a huge film in the 90s based on an Irish book and directed by Alan Parker, so it’s no surprise that Andrew Strong mentions it. The film in question? Angela’s Ashes.

Strong, of course, made his name in Parker’s 1991 hit movie The Commitments but he brings up Angela’s Ashes – based on Frank McCourt’s best-selling memoir – as the film’s premiere in 1999 was the last time he saw Commitments co-star Johnny Murphy (Joey 'The Lips’ Fagan), who passed away last month.

“Johnny was a lovely man and my condolences go out to his family,” says Strong. “I hadn’t seen him in years. We did a reunion thing about four years ago but Johnny didn’t take part in it, so the last time I saw him was at the Angela’s Ashes premiere.”

The Commitments was based on Roddy Doyle’s novel of the same name, telling the entertaining tale of a bunch of working-class Dubliners who form a soul band.

Aged 16, Strong was cast as lead singer Deco Cuffe and starred alongside Glen Hansard, Colm Meaney, The Corrs, Maria Doyle Kennedy and Derry’s own Bronagh Gallagher, among others.

When I spoke to Gallagher a few years ago she said that “life would be very different if I hadn't been in The Commitments” and Strong is of the same opinion.

“Oh absolutely. Even today – 25 years later – I’m still talking about it and it’s still relevant,” he says. “The beauty of The Commitments is that it introduced soul to a whole new generation. A lot of the songs in it were big hits before I was even born.

“It’s a real cult type thing. At my shows, you’ll see people in their 50s and they’ll bring their kids and grandchildren. I think that’s the essence of great music. No disrespect to the likes of One Direction, but I don’t think people will be talking about them 25 years from now.”

He said it didn’t take long for his life to start changing once the film came out.

“I went from being a kid in boarding school to playing in South Africa and playing to 10,000 people and getting recognised all over the world.

“Even before the movie was released, I knew of Alan Parker because I loved Bugsy Malone and Fame, so there was a certain calibre there. I didn’t think I’d still be talking about it 25 years later, but it’s great.”

Strong was speaking to me last week when he came up north from his Co Kildare home to launch the sixth annual Dalriada Festival. He will be the headline act at the festival at Glenarm Castle in Co Antrim on the weekend of July 16 and 17.

He says fans of the Commitments songs shouldn’t be disappointed by the live show.

“It’s always nice to get up north to play. We’ll obviously do some stuff from The Commitments and I’ll do stuff from my own solo albums, so it’ll just be a mixture of what I’ve done over the last 20-odd years,” he says.

“I’m trying to get as much material recorded in the next couple of months as I can and hopefully have an album out by the end of the year.”

Strong has been busy touring the world ever since he got his big break in 1991 and he’s got to some high-profile acts.

“I toured with the Rolling Stones and Lenny Kravitz and ZZ Top, so I’m grateful to have played with all of them. I originally did eight shows with the Stones and they asked me to come out and do four more, so I must have been doing something right.”

The Dalriada Festival will also feature Highland Games, pipe bands, comedy, dance, food stalls and children’s entertainment and Strong says he’s looking forward to it.

“My son is coming three in April, so I’ll be bringing my own family up to Glenarm. It’s a great festival.”

And will he be tempted to take part in the 'strongman’ competition?

“Well, I do have the right surname,” he laughs.

Andrew Strong headlines the Dalriada Festival in Glenarm, Co Antrim, on Saturday July 16. For tickets (£28.50) and information, visit DalriadaFestival.co.uk / Ticketmaster.ie or call 028 9031 0101