Ulster punk legends Stiff Little Fingers have insisted their show will go on in Paris tonight - because they know what it's like to be deprived of gigs due to terrorism.

Many major international acts including U2, Coldplay, Foo Fighters and Motorhead pulled their Paris shows after the devastating shootings that killed 129 people on Friday night.

On the Stiff Little Fingers official Facebook page, the band paid tribute to the victims of Friday's massacre, which included 89 music fans at an Eagles of Death Metal gig in the Bataclan concert hall.

"Our sincere condolences go out to everyone affected by the Parisian tragedies. The music business is often sheltered from the harsh realities of life and this weekend they have come home with a dreadful finality," they said.

The band - made famous by their 1978 protest anthem Alternative Ulster - cited their experience of missing out on bands coming to Belfast during the Troubles as their reason to go ahead with the concert.

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"When we were growing up in Belfast, I was always saddened by the fact that groups would never come and play there because of the political situation. I was deprived of another 'normal' part of life," he said.

Despite the shock that residents of Paris are still coming to terms with, they said that their show at Backstage at the Mill "will go ahead as advertised tomorrow night... I hope to see as many of you there as possible".

One of the managers at the Backstage at the Mill venue in Paris told the Belfast Telegraph people in Paris are trying their best to get on with daily life.

"We're all a little unsure of how to feel at the moment to be honest. We're just doing what we have to do to get by. It's our first gig since we decided to open our doors again."

He added that as well as a high security presence visible on the Parisian streets, the management would try to reassure those attending by making changes to their normal routine in terms of how people get in and out of the building.

Commenting on the Stiff Little Fingers' Facebook page, fans have largely supported the decision. Denice Schneider commented: "I am glad to see that unlike some other groups you are not afraid to perform in Paris. Having lived in Belfast I know how much better it is to go about life normally."

Belfast Telegraph