Not for nothing is Planxty called one of the most influential bands in history of the traditional Irish music scene.

Founded in 1972 by Christy Moore, Andrew Andy Irvine, Dónal Lunny and Liam O'Flynn, the band distinguished themselves as they used right from the start beside typical Irish instruments also instruments from other cultures like the bouzouki, mandolin and mandola. Moore left Planxty in 1974, Planxty split up in 1975 and returned in 1979 for the reunion. The same year Planxty recorded the first album (After The Break) for years with the original line-up and went on tour shortly before, featuring Matt Molloy (The Chieftaines) filling in for the soon before terminated Paul Brady.

Starting rehearsals at Molloy’s home on Tuesday, 19th September 1978 this line-up would go on a mammoth European tour the following year, from 15th April to 11th June 1979, during which the band played forty-seven concerts in fifty-eight days, in the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France and Ireland. Throughout the years the four original members never lost touch and are still busy within the musical scene. During this tour the band also played the Uni Mensa in Bremen where this show was recorded by Radio Bremen.

These historical recordings are now officially available with a remarkable sound for the first time on CD. In the concert it is to be heard how much fun the five Irishmen had being together again. Their stage performance was filled with harmonies and dynamic ranges from soft and mellow to foot-stomping Irish traditionals. An absolute must for every fan of Irish folk.

Founding member Liam O'Flynn, a master artist on the difficult to play uilleann pipes, passed away March 14, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland at the age of 72.