The Medusa Fora

When I go to see The Pogues what I really want to see is The Pogues. What I'd really really like is no support act and a two-and-a-half to three-hour set from The Pogues (maybe with a short comfort break in the middle ).

As that, understandably, isn't likely to happen, it doesn't bother me all that much who the support act is, but...

I do quite like the idea of it being something a bit different, someone I haven't seen before, just because it's a way of potentially discovering something new.

...something rocking, to get the atmosphere going.

...and something with a bit of contrast.

On the whole, the support acts down the last few years have worked pretty well. But what I don't particularly want as support is some pale derivative of the mighty Pogues. When I go to see The Pogues, I want to see The Pogues.

And I still remember how when we saw The Pogues at Birmingham with The Saw Doctors supporting, a large group of people near us watched the support and then left immediately after. Before The Pogues even started. What????!

firehazard wrote:And I still remember how when we saw The Pogues at Birmingham with The Saw Doctors supporting, a large group of people near us watched the support and then left immediately after. Before The Pogues even started. What????!

The Saw Docs have some pretty hardcore support, and they don't sound much like The Pogues so I can see why someone might like one and not the other. From my experience Saw Docs are pretty big amongst the bogger community. I really like them, but in a sort of novelty funny way.

The best support I've seen were Dropkick Murphys. Larrikin Love I downloaded their album and listened to it for a few weeks, decided they sounded like fannys and didn't see em in Brixton. Holloways much the same.

It wasn´t at a Pogues gig, but the best support I´ve ever seen was a duo named "La Sega del Canto" - one of them was playing guitar, harmonium and recorder, the other one was the Finnish champion of the musical saw. It was an incredible experience, two weird-looking guys playing weird music ... O sole mio, My way, Jailhouse rock ...

Oh, did I mention that about halfway through their show (it was late May) a guy in a Santa dress came out to bring them beer and vodka ?

Oh yeah, Finnish people are really something else ...

http://www.lasegadelcanto.net/

I think when you pay £30 a ticket (give or take) the support act should be more notable than the Urban Voodoo Machine. For example, next week I am seeing James. Similar sized band/venues/ticket price and the support act is Athlete. I am not a fan but they are more established than UVM.

Maybe not the best thread to ask, but can anyone add an identity to the "brass section" of this tour?

derelict81 wrote:Maybe not the best thread to ask, but can anyone add an identity to the "brass section" of this tour?

These guys are the JJ-Horns. They used to be in a ska-punk band "Jesse James" and supported the Pogues on their first reunion tour in 2001. They have a tour diary here: http://www.rememberthisdayforever.com

DownInTheGround wrote:I think when you pay £30 a ticket (give or take) the support act should be more notable than the Urban Voodoo Machine. For example, next week I am seeing James. Similar sized band/venues/ticket price and the support act is Athlete. I am not a fan but they are more established than UVM.

I have to disagree. Some great artists have been discovered only because they were unknown support acts. I had never heard of UVM but looked them up on Youtube. I'm now hooked, bought their CD at Belfast gig and will get in early to see them on monday in Dublin.

You paid your 30 quid (great value btw, it's 47 sterling in Dublin) to see The Pogues. Any support is a bonus.

They seem ok, but offer no motivation for me to bother leaving the pub early and have to queue for pints inside...