Belfast grit meets Dublin soul — the family feud that birthed your playlist.
This musical celebration charts the lives and careers of some of the biggest selling acts in Irish rock, punk and pop from Van Morrison and Thin Lizzy to The Undertones and U2. From the pioneers of the showbands touring in the late 50s through to the modern day, the film examines their lineage and connections and how the hardcore, rocking sound of Belfast merged with the more melodic, folky Dublin tradition to form what we now recognise as Irish rock and pop.
Production
Archival footage spanning six decades of Irish rock evolution.
Writing
Smart framing of Belfast vs Dublin as creative rivalry.
Director
Mike Connolly
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'two cities' framing deliberately echoes the 19th-century literary rivalry, positioning rock as Ireland's modern cultural battlefield.
Sinéad O'Connor's interview was reportedly her last major on-camera appearance before her 2023 death, making this an unintended final testament.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
GB
