Rock icons Then Jerico to play Whelan’s Main Room on Friday 20th February

Rock icons Then Jerico continue ‘The Return’ live tour of U.K. & European dates with their debut full band Irish shows at Belfast's Limelight 2 on Thursday 19th February and Dublin Whelan’s Main Room on Friday 20th February 2026.

Then Jerico lead singer, songwriter, producer, and sole original founder member Mark Shaw and his band will perform a 90-minute set featuring all the Then Jerico chart hit singles and fan-favourite album tracks from the band’s first two albums ‘First (The Sound of Music)’ and ‘The Big Area (Outside)’ along with tracks from Mark’s 1990’s solo albums.

Then Jerico achieved huge critical and commercial worldwide success in the 1980’s, gaining a dedicated worldwide following and building an international reputation for their legendary explosive live performances.

Formed in 1983 by lead singer and songwriter Mark Shaw, the band quickly secured contracts with London Records and MCA Records in the USA, releasing two platinum-selling studio albums: 'First (The Sound of Music)' in 1986, which featured two Top 40 hit singles - "The Motive" (the most-played record on BBC Radio 1 in 1987) and “Muscle Deep”; followed by their most successful release - the 1989 album 'The Big Area (Outside)'. The album entered the UK National Album Chart at No.4 and included three Top 30 hits; “What Does It Take?” (featuring Belinda Carlisle on backing vocals), “Big Area” and “Sugar Box”.

Then Jerico secured two Top Ten singles in the Irish singles chart “Muscle Deep” and “Big Area” which was used by Irish national broadcaster RTE as the theme music for its televised golf programming throughout the 1990’s.

After the original line-up disbanded in 1990, Mark Shaw signed to EMI Records releasing the self-produced solo album ‘Almost’ which included the hit singles “Love So Bright” and “Under Your Spell”. In 1992 he launched his own record label Murder Records releasing two live albums and pursued a successful solo career; recording two hit dance singles on the Spanish label Kong Records and performing across Europe and the UK.

Shaw was also involved in various musical projects, including performing and recording with Spike Edney’s all-star group The SAS Bandalongside artists such as Brian May and Roger Taylor (Queen), Paul Young, Tony Hadley, Roy Wood, Kiki Dee, Chaka Khan, Fish, Edwin Starr and a host of other luminaries.

In 1999 Shaw released another self-produced Then Jerico album ‘Orgasmaphobia’ on Eagle Rock Records with a new line-up including Andy Taylor (Duran Duran/Power Station) and Mick MacNeil (Simple Minds).

In 2012 & 2013, Shaw reformed the original Then Jerico lineup for ‘The Reprise’ Tour to celebrate the ‘Reprise’ double-download album release on Warner Music / Rhino Records.

In 2012, Mark Shaw performed three Then Jerico Acoustic shows at ‘The Belnash Acoustic Festival’ in Belfast, and in 2022, played his first show in the Republic of Ireland at the ‘Forever Young Festival’ at Palmerstown House, Kildare. He was interviewed at the festival by Hot Press’s Jess Murray where when asked about performing in Ireland he explained: “I love it. The people are lovely. It's so beautiful. The atmosphere - people want to enjoy themselves here. The music is amazing. People smile and really give themselves to the moment.”

Then Jerico

Plus Special Guests

Friday, 20th February 2026

Whelan’s, Dublin

Doors 8pm | 18’s+

Tickets on sale now. (Tickets €30)

Available From: whelanslive.com // (Wav) 1890 200 078 • Ticketmaster.ie.

Slán go fóill.