RTÉ Radio 1's acclaimed series Documentary on One returns this Saturday afternoon, 19 August, with Louder Than Bombs: The Smiths in Ireland, Nov '84.
The Documentary on One team says the season opener "takes listeners on a journey, diving into the iconic music scene of the 1980s".
"Through a combination of interviews, archival material and expert insights, this episode offers an unparalleled glimpse into the legendary band's visit to Ireland during a pivotal moment in their career and in the history of the Troubles," the team promises.
"Produced by documentary makers David Coughlan and Donal O'Herlihy, music enthusiasts and history buffs alike will be captivated by the anecdotes and perspectives shared in this unique documentary.
"It's a look into a tour that involved paramilitarism, politics, emigration, unemployment and the soundtrack to a generation as the iconic Mancunian-Irish band pitched up in Ireland for nine gigs in ten chaotic days at the height of the Troubles.
"On October 12, 1984, the IRA blew up a section of the Grand Hotel in Brighton, narrowly missing British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Amidst widespread condemnation, Morrissey, lead singer of The Smiths, praised the bombers and turned the band's upcoming Irish tour into a political storm.
"Formed in Manchester in the early 80s, The Smiths are regarded as one of the most influential bands of all time. The four members - guitarist Johnny Marr, lead singer Morrissey, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce - all had Irish backgrounds and the nationwide November ’84 tour was very much a homecoming.
"But it was less than 10 years since the UVF had killed members of the Miami Showband and tensions increased as the band reached the border counties. Why did one of the biggest bands of the 1980s go from headlining Glastonbury to playing a community centre in Donegal? And what happened when The Smiths found themselves in the middle of one of the biggest political flashpoints of The Troubles?"
Louder Than Bombs: The Smiths in Ireland, Nov '84 airs on RTÉ Radio 1 on Saturday 19 August at 2pm and will also be available online.
The Smiths' bassist, Andy Rourke, passed away in May after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 59.
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The new season of Documentary on One will continue for 10 weeks.
The second instalment of Documentary on One will air on Saturday 26 August at 2pm on RTÉ Radio 1 and "will look at polyamory, the practice where a couple encourages each other to form romantic attachments with other people".
In What If She's Prettier Than Me? documentary-maker Mary-Elaine Tynan speaks to Irish polyamorists.
