“Who is Thomas McLaughlin?”

On Saturday 15th August 2017, one week ahead of U2’s gig in Croke Park, Dave Fanning looked back at the original ‘Joshua Tree’ gig in 1987. Two of the guests reminiscing about life around U2 thirty years ago were Steve Averill and Thomas McLoughlin.

Thomas McLaughlin was lead singer of Light a Big Fire who supported U2 in Croke Park in 1987 (along with The Pogues & Lou Reed). Steve Averill was lead singer of The Radiators from Space (celebrating the 40 year anniversary of ‘Television Screen’) and gave U2 their name and designed or art directed all but one of their album sleeves.

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Thomas McLaughlin – Aughnacloy

Former frontman of Light A Big Fire, Thomas McLaughlin self released a solo album in 1992 called ‘Sky Guitar‘ (artwork on the way). This track featured although we don’t know if that is the source of this track which featured on the Dave Fanning Show. Thanks to Paul for tipping us off to this particular track.

Aughnacloy

Light A Big Fire (In Concert – Complete)

Thanks to the efforts of a generous reader I am now able to offer the full FM recording of Light A Big Fire in concert as broadcast by Dave on his show in 1985.  If anyone has other concerts by Irish bands from the 80’s please get in touch, The Blades are just one name that springs to mind..

Light A Big Fire
Millionaire City
Danny’s Got A New Career
Drive
I See People
You Can Love a Woman
Green Boys
Smoky Joe’s Cafe
Mr Twilight

Light A Big Fire (In Concert)

Light A Big Fire (In Concert)

A regular feature of the Dave Fanning show was the  ‘In Concert’ slot on a Tuesday. Typically for the last 30 minutes of his show he would feature a live performance recording. A reader commented asking if I had the Light A Big Fire performance and I recently came across this snippet which suggests that I did in fact record said show but later recycled the cassette. I am sharing the couple of minutes that remain in the hope that someone out there still has the full show they care to share. To ease the disappointment of the Light A Big Fire fans I’ve left ‘You Can Love A Woman’ which I edited in after the concert in place. Don’t forget to tune into Dan Hegarty’s show on 2FM tonight to hear Heathers live from the Eurosonic in Groningen. Tomorrow it will be the turn of James Vincent McMorrow. In addition, you can listen to and in some cases watch 30 live sets from 7 venues via the 2FM site.

‘In Concert’ clip / ‘You Can Love A Woman’

Tom McLaughlin

Thomas McLaughlin originally from Belfast but later US educated explaining an exotic accent once of Light A Big Fire fame, pursued solo career but finally saw success as a playright of note.

She Says

Light A Big Fire (1984 Session)

Formed circa 1984 in Dublin featuring Thomas McLaughlin (vocals), Owen Conroy (vocals), Pete Dench (guitar), Pat Diskin (bass), Ray Rowland (drums). I saw Light A Big Fire in late 1985 in the then NIHE Limerick and they put on a hugely energetic show finishing up with a version of The Forest that seemed to go on forever. This is a session they did for the Fanning show in June 1984.

C.I.A. (1984)

You Can Love A Woman (1984)

I See People (1984)

Talking To Myself (1984)