The Universal is the band and the vehicle for songwriter/singer/guitarist and front man Terry Shaughnessy. 

Recent Galaxy Award winners for their album The Outsiders and voted Best Live Act at Rock Realms. 

A Rock/Pop outfit from the North West of England steeped in the tradition of The Beatles and the purveyors of classic song writing and passionate live shows, The Universal follow Shaughnessy’s motto of ‘Musician Minus Ego Plus Fire’ 

Terry Shaughnessy and The Universal gig extensively, believing this to be the ultimate testing ground for musicians and their songs. 

They’ve already had the honour to play with the late, great legends Ian McLagan and Joe Strummer. 

Other shows have included sharing the stage with Ocean Colour Scene, Trio Valore, Steve Cradock, The Chords, The View, The Proclaimers, Secret Affair and the legends that are The Zombies. 

Festivals appearances around Europe have also been a mainstay. 

Also other appearances at Oxegen Festival, T in the Park, Glastonbury and Fest n Mind in France, to name but a few. 

They have also played anywhere and everywhere in the UK including the famous 100 Club in London, The Cavern in Liverpool and everything in between. 

Terry Shaughnessy and The Universal have also worked with producers Winston Rollins and the Jools Holland Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and also with Tim Holmes of Death In Vegas. 

PRESS 

“Twenty years ago, Britpop was on the rise, with bands like Cast, Elastica and Shed Seven playing it down the line, with no frills, no synths and no pretence of doing anything other than perform great tunes packed with infectious guitar riffs. Since then, Indie has been tainted with many new coats of paint, so praise be to The Universal for stripping it back down!” 

Daily Mirror 

“The bands music burns brightly with an intelligent passion fuelled rhetoric that displays the bands working class roots proudly on their sleeves.” 

Mark Thorpe - Zani 

“The Universal swaggered on stage. Terry Shaughnessy has the class and style that every great front man should have. We must have been getting close to 1am but they were fresh, and ready to put in a stellar shift of music. Backed up by a great crowd, these guys didn’t disappoint and probably produced one of the best live sets BAND IN A BOX has witnessed. 

Fantastic musicianship of the highest order. Music sounds brilliant when you have a band like this headlining the night. 

Hope to get them back in the very near future and if we do, do not miss out. You have BEEN WARNED!” 

Band In A Box 

“The Outsiders is packed to overflowing with top drawer proper songs performed by a proper band. Classic British Guitar Music that has a retro slant as well as being bang on the money for right now.” 

Sarge – Scootering Magazine