Band Meet and Greets

[Darren71]

Will you be having any meet and greets with the fans? I"m from Dublin and live in Phoenix and having been lisyening to your music since Rum sodomy and the Lash.
It would be great to say hi and thank you, and get a picture taken with you all

[philipchevron]

Will you be having any meet and greets with the fans? I"m from Dublin and live in Phoenix and having been lisyening to your music since Rum sodomy and the Lash.
It would be great to say hi and thank you, and get a picture taken with you all

Just to clarify things a little here, as it appears to have become a slightly muddy area. We don't actually have "meet and greets" as such and, associated as they increasingly are, with overpriced VIP/Corporate hospitality "packages" to which we do not subscribe, we don't consider them part of our job description. That said, most of us like to say hello to our public in person from time to time and our informal "Aftershows" are one way of keeping in touch. But these ad hoc gatherings depend enormously on backstage space, individual venues' health and safety issues (on the one hand) and individual Pogues' personal post-gig inclinations and demeanour (on the other).

Glasgow Academy is a classic example of how "Aftershows" don't always work - there is actually not even enough room backstage for all eight of us to change clothes efficiently before and after a gig, never mind greet the Caledonian hordes. Because of this, the promoters provide a 'guest bar' in the second balcony of the theatre for "Aftershows" but, it must be said, as our own personal post-show dressing room wind-down becomes ever more congenial, our tired bones sometimes find the trek to the second balcony a bit of a trial. Add to that the fact that some people - myself and Terry Woods most frequently - like to leave the venue as soon as the show finishes, the better to do our unwinding in front of Match Of The Day or The History Channel on the telly in the privacy of our hotel rooms. As the consumption of both alcohol and tobacco has declined precipitously in the Pogues over the years, so there are fewer reasons to stay up late in smoky and/or boozy environments. Well, it might get in the way of our Power Breakfasts.

So, what we always say to people is that while we're happy to fulfil requests from Forum Members (and indeed other fans) to be added to the Aftershow list for most shows, we can offer no guarantees whatever that such an event will take place or that, if it does, any of the Pogues will be moved to attend. Gatherings at which long-lost family members and friends are likely to be present - Brixton, Manchester for example - and which have long-standing precedent, stand a better chance of being Pogue-attended than a beer-less encounter in the corridors of the Birmingham Academy.

Also, "having my picture taken with you all" is almost certainly a non-starter, though individual Pogues are always delighted to be hastily snapped with an arm nonchalantly draped around your Grandma's manly shoulders. So, Darren, please use the PM facility to put your request but bear in mind, as we've never been to Tempe before, we have no idea what any hypothetical "Aftershow" might be like.

[fluke]

that's a great answer Philip!
The one time I was lucky enough to be backstage I experienced the band members where realy cool and 'chatty'. It was James that left first. Terry stayed quite long as I recal. All the guys took initiative to have a chat with me! They where soo cool and friendly! It was defenitly different with other bands I have seen...

[Robert]

Sorry, PM sent instead.

[barefacedcheek]

Failing that then, do you know if anyone will be out after the Manchester show? Granted there's a slim chance and it IS a Sunday night but it would be great to have a handshake or whatever.

I know the Buzzcocks usually come out for a bit - even invited me in once.

Hope I get to meet at least one of the band!

Talk back.


JT

[Asthoreen]

Does anyone know how these potential aftershows work.After the first post I pm'ed Phil to ask if I might be put on the list for Leeds,he said yes but I feel a bit daft pm'ing again to find out how you go about being allowed backstage or wherever.

[DzM]

Does anyone know how these potential aftershows work.After the first post I pm'ed Phil to ask if I might be put on the list for Leeds,he said yes but I feel a bit daft pm'ing again to find out how you go about being allowed backstage or wherever.

Assuming Philip confirmed that you are on his list then you will:

1) Go to the Will Call window for the venue, tell them your name, and get your credential (probably a cloth sticker that is applied to your person)
2) After the show you will, with the sticker prominently displayed, say to one of the Security Monkeys "where do I go now?"
3) The Security Monkey will direct you to ... well, wherever you're supposed to be.
4) An awesome block-rocking party follows, or a vaguely awkward small group of people stand in a clump and wonder if the band will show up. It's always hard to tell before-hand (see Philip's notes above for more background on the unknowns of aftershow socializing)

[Asthoreen]

thanks

[Waterboy]

Damn, Fluke, where was that? Sounds the bandmembers left one after eachother after they shook hands with you!!! But cool indeed...

[fluke]

It was in Lokeren, Belgium Waterboy. They didn't leave after shaking my hand though.. They probably just left because they felt like it..
My post (almost a year old) wasn't meant to brag about my adventures but to confirm (?) that the Pogues are genuine nice people to their fans..

[Waterboy]

and a bunch of fine musicians as well. Only how to get them to play that classic Waxies Dargle tune live again. Different topic, I know!! I bring a tray to Amsterdam anyway...

[PistolPaddyGarcia]

I think it's great that some bands take time for their fans. for me and for many others it would of course be a wonderful time to meet his idols in person. It is also a good possibility to say thank you, that you can forgotten by their songs the gray everyday for a few minutes.

[Freddiebhoy]

Hi Phil / Guys

Is there an Aftershow in Glasgow and how would I go about getting an invite ?

[gimmedanger]

Read over Phillip's reply RE the space inside the Academy...

[darrencp22]

I have to say the honesty is so refreshing from a band. Great stuff.