Ireland & UK tour Dec 2012

[RayD22]

Please please please can you get Skinny Lister as the support. And possibly The Penny Black Remedy.
Just bought tix.
Can't wait!!

[Fr. McGreer]

There's a cool clipper boat that goes direct to the o2 from Waterloo and London Bridge

Better bring the life jackets. Maybe we could recreate The Raft Of The Medusa painting

Walshy, you're the one in charge of finding a decent boozer near to the jetty.

[old barney greyheron]

Yeah baby!!!! Just got me two tickets to the O2 gig....<dances>

[neilh]

Hi. I guess im a pretty big fan of the pogues. In my view, they can do pretty much whatever they want, i'll always respect them. I've been to see them many times since I first discovered them, almost by accident, stumbling in to the Brixton Academy (without a ticket) on one of the christmas shows in 2008.

I was drunk and wearing a pinstripe suit, but something really hit me about the atmosphere there, a heaving, drunken mass of humanity. In subsequent years I would go with my Irish friends and they would keep bumping in to people they knew, from their cousins who they thought were in prison, through to yuppie bankers sipping cider in the stalls. In short there is just something great about the pogues at Brixton, something unique and amazing and life defining almost.

Anyway, as I said before , Im not complaining, the pogues can do whatever they want. But I've been to see the pogues in other places as well and none even came anywhere close to the shows at Brixton. The very worst was the LIverpool Echo arena. A totally soulless, concrete void, lack of atmosphere. Even though I had seats in the fourth row or something, it was just depressing watching all these people around me clapping along. They weren't even drunk. I might as well have been at some kind of pantomine or musical or something. And as for the band, well in that kind of atmosphere, you tend to focus on their weaknesses that become more obvious - they are creatively dead, just a bunch of guys reciting some old songs in a competent manner but nothing more than that.

I nearly bought tickets for the 20th, my instinct was to buy, but the webpage timed out. And I started to think 'do I really want to go to the o2 or would I be better off just keeping my memories of brixton'. And, having given this some thought, I am thinking towards the latter. I was planning to bring my girlfriend over (she lives in Sweden) to watch the christmas show because I love the band so much I wanted her to see it, but now it is at the O2, im kind of thinking it just wont be the same.

I personally hate big rock venues like the o2, only bruce springsteen can really justify that kind of venue, for me anyway.

[Mike from Boston]

I heard a rumor (or maybe it was a dream) that instead of a recording of Straight to Hell to open the 30th Anniversary show, there would be some guys named Mick, Paul and Terry/Topper playing the song live and later joining the Pogues for I Fought the Law and London Calling.....

[Guest]

I heard a rumor (or maybe it was a dream) that instead of a recording of Straight to Hell to open the 30th Anniversary show, there would be some guys named Mick, Paul and Terry/Topper playing the song live and later joining the Pogues for I Fought the Law and London Calling.....

cant see i fought the law being played if your dream comes true as mick has always refused to play it because as the title says THE LAW WON!!!!
o2 or not o2 that is the question mmmmmmmmmmm

[firehazard]

o2 or not o2 that is the question mmmmmmmmmmm

There's no question. Yes, of course we'd all prefer a smaller grubbier venue. But this show could be something special. Go for it.

Our travel plans have fallen apart again. No idea yet how we're going to get there. Here we go with another travelpogue-style saga. Why can't it work out all smooth and easy for once?

[fermenter]

o2 or not o2 that is the question mmmmmmmmmmm

There's no question. Yes, of course we'd all prefer a smaller grubbier venue. But this show could be something special. Go for it.

Our travel plans have fallen apart again. No idea yet how we're going to get there. Here we go with another travelpogue-style saga. Why can't it work out all smooth and easy for once?

brixton would have been fine ,but o2 requires overnight stay currently looking at various hotels /travelodges etc + coinage comes into issue got an expensive month by the looks of it

[the hibbypogue]

I think us medusans should all make a big effort to get along to the O2 in December. Yes, the O2 is very ambitious,and may not be ideal for everyone, however back in the day, the twice the band played Wembley Arena, they were nothing short of sensational. I've been to over 100 Pogues gigs, and i would say the two at Wembley were among the best. they got the sound just right for such a barn of a place. There's usually 3 of us in our wee party that go to Brixton, so we're making it four for the O2. Bring a friend, introduce them to a night seeing the finest live band on the planet, I'm sure you'll be thanked for the experience. It would be nice for the band to play to a big crowd, this could be a real magic occasion, not to be missed. As for the "pinstripe suit bloke" above, if the Pogues gave you all those wonderful experiences, it's only fair you support them at the O2, get back on that website, book yer tickets and swell the crowd.
As for boozers, there's a brilliant Wetherspoons in Greenwich, one stop before the o2 on the Clipper. Can't Fookin wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nick M]

I heard a rumor (or maybe it was a dream) that instead of a recording of Straight to Hell to open the 30th Anniversary show, there would be some guys named Mick, Paul and Terry/Topper playing the song live and later joining the Pogues for I Fought the Law and London Calling.....

Wow......please let that be true........

[RICHB]

Hi. I guess im a pretty big fan of the pogues. In my view, they can do pretty much whatever they want, i'll always respect them. I've been to see them many times since I first discovered them, almost by accident, stumbling in to the Brixton Academy (without a ticket) on one of the christmas shows in 2008.

I was drunk and wearing a pinstripe suit, but something really hit me about the atmosphere there, a heaving, drunken mass of humanity. In subsequent years I would go with my Irish friends and they would keep bumping in to people they knew, from their cousins who they thought were in prison, through to yuppie bankers sipping cider in the stalls. In short there is just something great about the pogues at Brixton, something unique and amazing and life defining almost.

Anyway, as I said before , Im not complaining, the pogues can do whatever they want. But I've been to see the pogues in other places as well and none even came anywhere close to the shows at Brixton. The very worst was the LIverpool Echo arena. A totally soulless, concrete void, lack of atmosphere. Even though I had seats in the fourth row or something, it was just depressing watching all these people around me clapping along. They weren't even drunk. I might as well have been at some kind of pantomine or musical or something. And as for the band, well in that kind of atmosphere, you tend to focus on their weaknesses that become more obvious - they are creatively dead, just a bunch of guys reciting some old songs in a competent manner but nothing more than that.

I nearly bought tickets for the 20th, my instinct was to buy, but the webpage timed out. And I started to think 'do I really want to go to the o2 or would I be better off just keeping my memories of brixton'. And, having given this some thought, I am thinking towards the latter. I was planning to bring my girlfriend over (she lives in Sweden) to watch the christmas show because I love the band so much I wanted her to see it, but now it is at the O2, im kind of thinking it just wont be the same.

I personally hate big rock venues like the o2, only bruce springsteen can really justify that kind of venue, for me anyway.

The Echo Arena wasnt the best because (as discussed elsewhere the all seater didn't help) but it wasnt that bad. As for being creatively dead well there are many different reasons why the pogues haven't written and produced any new material but none of them mean they are creatively dead. I mean define creativity? I'm not a musician but surely everytime they play together they are being creative? Also there is nothing wrong reciting old songs. I would say and especially in reference to Shane's songs that for songs written by young men over twenty years ago they are more relevant to the band and their fans than they ever where when written. Rainy Night in Soho meant nothing to me when I was eighteen but now means everything to me. I'm not saying your opinion is wrong and maybe it's because I've followed the pogues for twenty five years that makes it more personal. Ps you can't get anything more creative than the Sally Mac mega mix in the MEN in 2008 (ish)

[Sonic Euph]

As the poster says 30th anniversary TOUR, and only show in the UK, can I assume that there will be shows on the continent as well? Perhaps in that smallish hanky-sized country Belgium so comprehensively overlooked last summer?
I'd like to get at the O2 but compulsory work commitments make it extremely unlikely... :'(

[Guest]

Have to agree with "neilh" Although I followed the pogues from the early days not since the reform and to me also they just seem like good musos going through their paces Nothing else. These days its the fans/followers that make the occasion,but this could be done in pub without the band! So for me also it has to be the lack of new material. I was always hoping Shane and the Popes were gonna carry on but no. Still I was lucky once upon a time so who knows ? C'mon Shane we all luv ya

[RICHB]

Have to agree with "neilh" Although I followed the pogues from the early days not since the reform and to me also they just seem like good musos going through their paces Nothing else. These days its the fans/followers that make the occasion,but this could be done in pub without the band! So for me also it has to be the lack of new material. I was always hoping Shane and the Popes were gonna carry on but no. Still I was lucky once upon a time so who knows ? C'mon Shane we all luv ya

I dont think going through the paces is anything like I have seen the Pogues do since 2001. I mean ive seen some brilliant gigs and some not so good (MEN a few years ago) but I would never accuse them of 'going through the paces'. With the exception of new material (and if a new album came out tomorrow there would be a percentage of fans who would say its not as good as the old stuff) what more could you expect the band to do? The great thing about watching the Pogues is the (and I know this has been said loads of times) band and the crowd connecting and everyone just going for it. This is one of the reasons why my Mum, who comes with us most years, prefers to stand even though her hip has been given her jip for years. One of the great things about watching over the last ten years is that the songs are mostly spot on

[pms]

I may have missed an earlier posting on this but does anyone have any opoinions about the O2? For many years my husband and I went to Brixton to see the band. I am not very tall and because of this we arrived early and stood at the front so I could see them. I'm a little nervous about standing at the O2 because it is such a large venue. I looked at the other options but most of the seats have been sold! I know a Pogues crowd is unique and standing at a different gig cannot really be compared to standing at one of theirs! I really want to get our tickets before they all sell out so would lbe very grateful from some feedback from anyone who has been to the O2. Thank you.