The Stunning
Irish rock icons THE STUNNING are experiencing a powerful resurgence with their first new single in 8 years, selling out multiple headline shows in Ireland, and reaching a new global audience thanks to the viral rediscovery of their classic hit Brewing Up a Storm, mainly due to its inclusion in the Netflix drama series House of Guinness.
Formed in Galway in 1987 by brothers Steve and Joe Wall, The Stunning became one of Ireland’s most acclaimed and best-loved bands. From the beginning they carved out a distinctive sound — a vibrant mix of rock’n’roll energy, twangy guitars and touches of alt-country-soul-rock — that resonated with audiences across the country. Their commitment to great songwriting and electrifying live performances quickly set them apart.
Their debut album, Paradise in the Picturehouse (1990), reached No. 1 in the charts at and stayed there for five weeks, followed by a second number one album, Once Around the World (1992). Songs such as Everything That Rises, Romeo’s on Fire, Heads Are Gonna Roll, Half Past Two and the enduring anthem Brewing Up a Storm remain staples of Irish music culture.
After re-forming in 2003, the band resumed touring to packed venues, culminating in a landmark 30,000-capacity homecoming show in Galway’s city’s docks in 2012. In 2018 a chart topping new version of their second album was released, followed by a live performance film and album ‘We Come Alive’ in 2022.
The 2025 single “Stand Up in This Wicked World” showcases The Stunning at their most urgent and emotive. Its powerful video has made waves online, shared by Paloma Faith and Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham, reaching over one million combined followers. It shows The Stunning are entering one of the most dynamic periods of their career.
Global Breakthrough Via Netflix:
A new wave of international recognition arrived in 2025 when Brewing Up a Storm featured prominently in the hit Netflix series House of Guinness. Already regarded by many as an alternative Irish anthem — often used at Irish international rugby and football games — the song exploded into global consciousness. Thirty-six years after its release, it surged to No. 5 on the Shazam UK Viral Chart and reached No. 15 in its UK Top 200 as listeners around the world discovered the band for the first time.
During the early 1990’s the band performed regularly in the UK – mainly London – in venues such as the Mean Fiddler, the Powerhaus, and the Finsbury Fleadh. In 1992 they opened 5 shows for Bob Dylan in the Hammersmith Palais and then embarked on a UK tour with the B52’s culminating in two shows in Glasgow’s Barrowlands. Now playing 1,000 plus capacity venues at home, the band are dipping their toes back in the UK for the first time in many years with just 4 intimate shows to start with.
Other projects – movies and TV:
The various band members are involved in many other projects. Front man Steve Wall is also evolving into a successful film and television actor with roles in the new HBO Drama series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms; Dune: Part Two; The English (with Emily Blunt – BBC); Vikings (MGM) and many more.
With new music, renewed international attention and a live reputation that remains unmatched, The Stunning continue to prove that great songs and great bands never fade — they only grow louder.
Irish rock icons THE STUNNING are experiencing a powerful resurgence with their first new single in 8 years, selling out multiple headline shows in Ireland, and reaching a new global audience thanks to the viral rediscovery of their classic hit Brewing Up a Storm, mainly due to its inclusion in the Netflix drama series House of Guinness.
Formed in Galway in 1987 by brothers Steve and Joe Wall, The Stunning became one of Ireland’s most acclaimed and best-loved bands. From the beginning they carved out a distinctive sound — a vibrant mix of rock’n’roll energy, twangy guitars and touches of alt-country-soul-rock — that resonated with audiences across the country. Their commitment to great songwriting and electrifying live performances quickly set them apart.
Their debut album, Paradise in the Picturehouse (1990), reached No. 1 in the charts at and stayed there for five weeks, followed by a second number one album, Once Around the World (1992). Songs such as Everything That Rises, Romeo’s on Fire, Heads Are Gonna Roll, Half Past Two and the enduring anthem Brewing Up a Storm remain staples of Irish music culture.
After re-forming in 2003, the band resumed touring to packed venues, culminating in a landmark 30,000-capacity homecoming show in Galway’s city’s docks in 2012. In 2018 a chart topping new version of their second album was released, followed by a live performance film and album ‘We Come Alive’ in 2022.
The 2025 single “Stand Up in This Wicked World” showcases The Stunning at their most urgent and emotive. Its powerful video has made waves online, shared by Paloma Faith and Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham, reaching over one million combined followers. It shows The Stunning are entering one of the most dynamic periods of their career.
Global Breakthrough Via Netflix:
A new wave of international recognition arrived in 2025 when Brewing Up a Storm featured prominently in the hit Netflix series House of Guinness. Already regarded by many as an alternative Irish anthem — often used at Irish international rugby and football games — the song exploded into global consciousness. Thirty-six years after its release, it surged to No. 5 on the Shazam UK Viral Chart and reached No. 15 in its UK Top 200 as listeners around the world discovered the band for the first time.
During the early 1990’s the band performed regularly in the UK – mainly London – in venues such as the Mean Fiddler, the Powerhaus, and the Finsbury Fleadh. In 1992 they opened 5 shows for Bob Dylan in the Hammersmith Palais and then embarked on a UK tour with the B52’s culminating in two shows in Glasgow’s Barrowlands. Now playing 1,000 plus capacity venues at home, the band are dipping their toes back in the UK for the first time in many years with just 4 intimate shows to start with.
Other projects – movies and TV:
The various band members are involved in many other projects. Front man Steve Wall is also evolving into a successful film and television actor with roles in the new HBO Drama series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms; Dune: Part Two; The English (with Emily Blunt – BBC); Vikings (MGM) and many more.
With new music, renewed international attention and a live reputation that remains unmatched, The Stunning continue to prove that great songs and great bands never fade — they only grow louder.