Over 35 years ago I took part in auditions for a film being made by Alan Parker in my home City of Dublin.
The film was ‘The Commitments’, based on a book by local writer Roddy Doyle. It told the story of a young Dublin ‘hustler’, Jimmy Rabbitte, who puts together a band of local musicians with the intention of turning them into a world famous group playing Dublin Soul.
Sure, we know how that turned out. I played Jimmy Rabbitte, Wilson didn’t turn up and the rest is history. But it was a special time in my life and I enjoyed every minute of it alongside the other actors, some of whom I still see now.
The film is still remembered fondly and I’m often stopped on the streets of Dublin where I still live, and asked to recount some of the script lines with people (say it once and say it loud….)
In 2024 I took part in a Commitments Celebration event in Birmingham and it was a huge success. In 2025 I did a few more in Dublin, Manchester, Solihull and London. Seeing so many fans and hearing how the film had such a big impact on them was a joy and got me thinking,
2026 will be the 35th anniversary of the film and so I’ve decided to put together a band to go out and play some club shows and the odd festival to take the music back to the fans.
We’ll be playing all the songs from the film plus some of my favourite Detroit and Northern Soul sounds, recreating those dark basement 60s Soul clubs. We’ll also be doing a few ‘Celebrations of The Commitments’ events where we’ll be joined by other members of the cast to watch the film and do a Q+A.
Check out our gig list and hopefully we’ll be coming to a venue near you and we can have a few scoops after in the bar.
Soul is the music people understand. Sure it’s basic and simple, but it’s something else, cause it’s honest, there’s no bullshit. It sticks its neck out and says it straight from the heart. And you won’t get that with And And And!
Love to you all.
Rob.
