The band are gearing up for one of their biggest performances yet, sharing the stage with Robbie Williams.
HERMITAGE Green’s journey to Thomond Park began in a Limerick pub, long before playing in front of thousands of people became their reality.
Now, 16 years after the band’s first live performance in the Curragower Bar, the five-man ensemble are prepping to return to one of the city’s most iconic venues. They will be playing two concerts in July 2027, opening for international pop star Robbie Williams.
For frontman Barry Murphy, this occasion carries a significance that goes way beyond any gig he has done before. This gig will bring together many of his treasured childhood memories of Thomond Park, his childhood hero, and his community at home.
Speaking to the Limerick Voice, he said Thomond Park has always been more than just a stadium. “We started playing in the Curragower Bar, which is just down the road from Thomond Park many years ago, not imagining that stuff like this would be possible.”
A childhood dream comes full circle
Murphy re-tells the story of growing up across the road from the beloved stadium and listening to gigs from his bedroom window.
As a young Robbie Williams fan, he recounts receiving the singer’s second studio album, ‘Life Thru a Lens’, in his Christmas stocking and being hooked from there, saying “I was just blown away by how class of an album it was and what an entertainer he is.”
Now years later, Murphy can’t contain his excitement for the performance of a lifetime opening for the man who soundtracked his childhood.
“I’m looking forward to it, which is an understatement, playing before him and sharing the stage with him and getting to meet him. And with all the people of Limerick in front of us, it’s going to be pretty special.”
This performance is about more than just the music for Murphy, whose relationship with the stadium begins long before the band’s formation, as he previously played rugby for the Munster team.
Looking back on that memory, he said he never could have imagined he would one day perform there as a musician with his best friends alongside him.
“To think I’ll be playing on stage in front of my hometown, ahead of Robbie Williams, in the same Moyross end where I scored a try against the All Blacks is pretty cool, so I think it’s going to topple any stadium that we have played in around the world.”
Murphy believes that this performance could become their biggest and best yet, describing the privilege he feels coming back to their home county.
“We have been very fortunate to play in some cool venues all over the world, and even King John’s Castle is probably our favourite venue, and it’s in our home city as well. I think it will easily be our biggest performance yet.”
Bringing the energy home again
The band’s journey began in 2010 as casual jam sessions between two brothers and their friends. What the group didn’t know was that these sessions would turn into a career that has stretched far beyond the clutch of Limerick City.
Their early music releases helped establish a cult following, with their 2012 EP, ‘The Gathering’ reaching number 28 in the Irish charts. Four years after their EP went viral, the band were signed by Sony Music Ireland while releasing their debut album ‘Save Your Soul,’ which reached number three on the Irish charts.
They have quickly built a reputation for the energy and spirit at the centre of their live performances, blending rock with folk while crafting powerful harmonies. Their touring has captivated audiences around the world.
Local beginnings and international stages
They took international waters by storm, playing to crowds across Europe, North America and even the Middle East. Despite travelling the world doing what they love, the boys still consider Limerick central to their identities.
Much of Murphy’s excitement for their upcoming performance comes from the local people of Limerick, who have shared in the band’s excitement about the concert. “It’s incredible to see the reactions we’ve gotten out of people over the last few weeks since we announced it.”
Supporting Williams is undoubtedly a momentous achievement for the group, but they plan on bringing the same ambience to this massive stage as they always have.
Although they do plan on playing the classics for their devout fans, Murphy hinted that they may throw some new tunes into the mix.
“They can expect energy, entertainment, craic. All the classics. We’re almost ten months out, so anything can happen between then and now. We’re always likely to do something new and fresh.”
For a group who have spent many years by each other’s side, they don’t take any moment for granted. Murphy says that building up the right atmosphere is essential for performing live in front of an audience.
While they don’t have any superstitions before kicking off a gig, the final minutes before taking to the stage are spent together. They prepare by having a drink and a group huddle, often ending in someone saying something encouraging to build on that pre-performance memento.
“We’ll have a huddle. Someone usually says something inspiring; we remind ourselves how lucky we are to be playing music together for so long.”
Next summer can’t seem to come any quicker for the band, when they walk out onto that stage, they will feel the exciting significance of returning to the city where their story first began.