Rock legends to play intimate Cork show

A hugely popular American-British rock band is sure to be the ‘Talk of the Town’ when they come to Cork this May.

The Pretenders, including founding member Chrissie Hynde, will play Leeside on 20 May at Cyprus Avenue.

Ohio-born singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Hynde formed The Pretenders in London in 1978, with Hereford natives James Honeyman-Scott on guitar, Pete Farndon on bass, and drummer Martin Chambers.

Their debut album, released in January 1980, was the first UK number one album of the decade and garnered critical acclaim in Europe, the US, Australia and beyond.

The group's personnel and dynamic has changed over the years, initially with the drug related deaths of both Honeyman-Scott and Farndon in 1983.

Since then, Hynde has remained a constant force within the band, maintaining the original Pretenders’ unique guitar-based sound in the style of Honeyman-Scott.

She’s recorded 17 studio albums, primarily with the Pretenders, and has guested with numerous other artists, including Frank Sinatra and Moreno Veloso.

The Pretenders’ latest album, ‘Hate for Sale’, was released in July 2020 and has enjoyed considerable international airplay as the band continues to tour the world.

In February 2023, Hynde embarked on a short tour playing working men’s clubs and ale houses. The tour was received very well and the shows provided a special opportunity to see a legend play new songs and personal favourites in exceptionally intimate settings.

She enjoyed the tour so much, she’s doing it again this May, with a hint to a forthcoming new album.