Question for the band and fans

[DaveG]

Just wondering if you prefer performing in smaller venues or the larger arenas? As a fan I think the smaller venues are fantastic. The warm-up show at the Manchester Academy in 2001 is possibly my favourite ever gig -and that includes the 80s - although that may have something to do with my pre-gig refreshment! Love the large shows too and appreciate time and ticket constraints. Would be interested in your thoughts. Cheers

[Heather]

I like the smaller venues. I used to like it when the Pogues had a smaller audience, they used to play in Liverpool then. The bigger venues have the advantage that they fit more of the growing number of fans, which is a good thing too.

[Simon Maguire]

I've only seen them in an out doors venue at Guilfest but it was still a fantastic show even though it probably wasn't as long as other shows they've done but I'll be able to compare the difference after christmas.

[Joey]

As a fan I think the smaller venues are fantastic. The warm-up show at the Manchester Academy in 2001 is possibly my favourite ever gig

I was also at that gig. I too can say that it was amazing! I also saw Shane and the popes there once, which was also one of my best popes gigs.

[Niall]

Only seen the pogues once in the point dublin, but shane and the popes twice in the quite small belfast limelight and both were amazing

[Mick Molloy]

I generally like small venues more but who doesn't?

[dawson]

small venues are good cos you can shout shit at the band! never been to an arena show and im really foward to it at manchester! millions of people under one roof!

[theCOOP]

I prefer smaller venues (for any band).

Some of my most memorable nights are from the early-mid 90s when my buddy matt and I used to go to small venues (pubs) to see local, and Canadian acts. Best of all were the early shows by a Canadian band Big Sugar. At the early shows (still crowded, at university pubs), the stage was about a foot tall, and you could rest your foot on it.

The never got really really big, but eventually played slightly larger gymnasium venues with large stages and large barricades 5 feet from the stage.

They've since disbanded after 5 or 6 albums, and the lead singer has formed a new band in Austin Texas by the name of Grady, and he is again playing his way up from small venues to larger venues. It's just too bad that he hasn't made it to Halifax again as Grady, so I can witness the birth of another great band again by Gordie.

Even when Big Sugar got larger, Gordie, and multi-talented member Kelley Hoppe would play in the corner of small venues as an acoustic act, which I've never witnessed first hand.

Nothing will ever compare to those early years w/ Big Sugar...unless ofcourse it's Phil & Terry in one of those same small Venues (Marquee Club in Halifax).

[fermenter]

deffo smaller venues ,i consider shepherds bush empire the ideal size meself.

like ta see em at the lemon grove in exeter tho

[Blondie]

deffo smaller venues ,i consider shepherds bush empire the ideal size meself.

Have to agree with fermenter.The smaller the venue the more chance you can get to the barrier..I have been lucky so far, every Pogues show i have attended i have been at the barrier

[Christine]

Smaller venues are fantastic because of the intimacy. I'd love to see the Pogues in small places too but I don't think there's any chance of that happening. You wouldn't really wish it on the band anyway, it's sort of tied up with being the sort of success they have become again.

[Noel Kenny]

I've always said that I'd like to see The Pogues doing 3 nights in The Olympia Theatre in Dublin, rather than 1 night in tThe point. No matter where you go you're close to the stage and the accoustics are far superior

[Chichi Ramone]

Saw Shane (with the Popes) at both the Point and Olympia and, like Noel, also prefer the Olympia. I personally like to stand at a show, and am most happy to see and shoot bands at venues of up to 1200 or 2000 capacity… The smaller the better, but of course that is not realistic for all bands due to demand and sales of tickets.