Irish rock legends The Stunning are back, and they’re helping to bring something special to Oranmore this May. Not only have they just released their first new single in eight years, they’ll also be opening the very first Momentum Festival and trust us, this is going to be a night to remember. Check out our recent interview with them and find out who's playing at the inaugural Momentum Festival below...
Tickets are on sale now at momentumfestival.ie and ticketmaster.ie.
Formed in Galway in 1987, The Stunning - Steve Wall, Joe Wall, Derek Murray, Jim Higgins, and Cormac Dunne - quickly became one of Ireland’s most beloved live bands. With a string of hit singles including ‘Once Everything That Rises,’ ‘Half Past Two’ and ‘Romeo’s on Fire,’ along with their chart-topping debut album ‘Paradise in the Picturehouse,’ the band built a reputation for electrifying performances and irresistible melodic rock. Decades later, their songs remain fixtures on Irish radio and their live shows continue to draw devoted crowds.
above: The Stunning with Momentum Festival organisers - photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Their new track ‘Stand Up in This Wicked World’ had been a long time coming. Originally written in 2015 with the Easter Rising commemorations in mind, the song was set aside for years before recent global events made finishing it feel urgent. “With the genocide in Gaza, it is a very similar story of oppression and colonialisation.” Joe Wall explains, “I thought, I need to rewrite it and make it about Gaza. Now, it’s written in a more universal way.” All proceeds from the single go to the Médecins Sans Frontières Gaza Fund, with fans going the extra step to support the band’s efforts.
At the same time, The Stunning have been enjoying renewed attention for their classic hit ‘Brewing Up a Storm.’ After appearing in the Netflix drama House of Guinness, the song has gone viral, introducing a whole new generation to their iconic sound.
“Brewing up a Storm is a great example of playing the long game. For a song that was our first flop as a single,” Steve considers. “To go from that, to being the only one of our songs that would get played at rugby internationals, in the Aviva Stadium, at Galway United..” It’s proof that great songs truly stand the test of time.
That renewed momentum has carried them to a fitting stage: The Stunning are bringing that energy straight to Oranmore to open the inaugural Momentum Festival on Friday, May 1st.
Main & above photo of This is Galway's April/May Magazine 2026 by Ciarán MacChoncarraige.
For members Derek and Jim, the festival is especially exciting. With Oranmore being their hometown, the chance to play in their own community is a cherished one. “We take these gigs really seriously, and we always try to make the most of them.” Steve adds, “We like to make every gig a little bit different as well. So we will have all guns blazing by the time it gets to May.”
“It’s really nice to be doing the opening night of the festival,” they share. And for fans rocking up on the day? “They’re gonna be hit with a storm of powerful, melodic, brilliant rock music.” Joe smiles, before adding with a laugh, “Or if we end up doing The Galway Shawl, we might just do a whole ‘Derek on the accordion’ set.”
For everyone heading to the festival, The Stunning promises the perfect introduction to what Momentum Festival is all about: timeless classics, new music, and a few surprises along the way. Proudly independent and community-powered, Momentum festival aims to create something lasting and looks to champion both established Irish acts and rising talent.
above: Tracy Bruen, photo by Xadacka
That vision begins on Friday, May 1st with the night belonging to The Stunning. They’ll be joined by indie-rock favourites The Riptide Movement, known for their festival-ready sound, alongside Galway’s own spellbinding singer-songwriter Tracy Bruen, bringing another powerful local talent to opening night.
Saturday will be spectacular as The Big Day Out makes its long-awaited West of Ireland debut. Hosted by crowd favourite Fergal D’Arcy, the night will deliver a blast of unapologetic 90s and 00s nostalgia. Pop icons B*Witched will bring their infectious chart-toppers, while dance legends D:Ream promise pure feel-good energy. International dance star Sonique joins the lineup with club classics like ‘It Feels So Good’, alongside yeehaw-inducing chaos from Rednex and a guaranteed Irish club moment when Mark McCabe drops ‘Maniac 2000.’
above: Rednex, photo by event imotion x
By Sunday, the festival pivots from nostalgia to modern anthem-makers. Leading that charge is chart-topping favourites The Coronas who represent exactly what Momentum stands for: Irish talent commanding big stages. They’ll be joined by two rising stars poised for breakout moments. Oscar Blue arrives fresh from the release of his debut album ‘Birds In Winter,’ which has earned national attention. Calum Agnew will also step into the spotlight with his brand-new debut EP, marking him as one to watch.
Just when it feels like the curtain might fall, Monday, May 4th promises one final crescendo, with Ireland’s most impactful acts set to bring the weekend to an unforgettable close. Folk metal band The Scratch, who have just released their acclaimed album ‘Pull Like A Dog,’ will be joined by NME-touted Cork band Cliffords and the country’s most-talked-about new purveyors of contemporary trad, Madra Salach.
above: The Scratch
“We’re really looking forward to this show. It’s a big production for a small town - and it really deserves the support of the wider community,” Joe says. “It will really put Oranmore on the map in a big way. I mean, how many other towns in the country are putting on something like this?”
With a powerhouse lineup, a strong sense of community, and The Stunning ready to kick things off with a bang, Momentum Festival is set to launch its first year in style. This is the beginning of one of the West’s most exciting new festivals so make sure you are there!
A rising force of music & moment, Momentum Festival takes place on 1st-4th May 2026, and tickets are available now via Ticketmaster and the official festival website, momentumfestival.ie.
above: Cliffords
