The Alarm at Irving Plaza

It's an absolute reality! The Alarm has set dates for its North American 2024 tour. Indeed, this will be another massive gathering of hordes of their most ardent followers as The Alarm will hit the live concert stage with the intent of celebrating the 30th-anniversary release of their major debut album "Declaration". The album was known for the singles "Marching On", "The Stand", "Sixty Eight Guns" and "Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke?", "The Deceiver", and "Blaze of Glory". William Ruhlmann's review of the album in AllMusic was a favorable review saying, "the Alarm seemed to play every song as if it was the climax of their set. In the short term, that excited listeners, however; Declaration was a number six hit in England and broke through to the Top 50 in the U.S..." Rolling Stone magazine published a rave review that said: "This is one of the best new live bands I heard last year, and they've put a lot of that power into their first album."

The Alarm was officially formed in Rhyl, Wales, in 1981. Before settling down on their band name and sound, lead vocalist Mike Peters initially formed a punk band called the Toilets in 1977. Then in 1978, they renamed the band to Quasimodo as a tribute band, playing note-for-note renditions of The Who's Live at Leeds. The band went through several band-member line-ups, repertoire, and band-name changes, until they set on the name -The Alarm, as they played their first gig at The Victoria Hotel, Prestatyn, North Wales on 6 June 1981, opening the set with "Shout to the Devil", which was part of their debut album Declaration. From the critical response, favorable charting, and rave reception of this album, the band served the "Absolute Reality" on 18th February 1985, entering the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart a week later. This was a forerunner to the stunning sophomore album "Strength" released on 1st October 1985 and has achieved UK success, placing at the top 40 of the US Billboard 200 album chart for the first time; additionally, the single "Spirit of '76" was a top 40 UK hit.

The Alarm also got its fair share of critics and mixed reviews, yet AllMusic's journalist Steve Huey stated the absolute reality that music fans have the last word, stating -- "The British music press habitually savaged their records as derivative and pretentious, but this meant little to their zealous following, who supported the band to the tune of over 5 million sales worldwide and 16 Top 50 UK singles."

And with that, The Alarm always gives back to their fans by gathering them to have a blast. Lead vocalist Mike Peters always looks forward and expressed his excitement around such concert events, saying: "I do hope Alarm fans everywhere will welcome this opportunity to celebrate with myself and the band and rejoice in the music and songs that have brought us all together."

This 80s nostalgia sound trip with The Alarm, featuring Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel at the Irving Plaza on Friday 24th May 2024 is a must! Don't miss the boat! Book your tickets now!