The Medusa Fora

As soon as I stepped into the Borgata, I remembered everything I'd hated about it the last time I was there (Bob Dylan show, June '04). Too noisy, too smokey, too brightly lit, too many jogging suits (still). I hopped on the first shuttle bus back to the train station and hid out at the Border's for a bit, then found my poker-playing buddy and plunged back in.

The show started on time, more or less, with James delivering his take on the classic Dean Martin joke, and for one moment I imagined the Pogues' take on the Rat Pack's repertoire. Call me crazy, but I think it could work.

It was a great, great show - I'd like to know what the deal was with that "false start" in the beginning, though, although it certainly didn't matter once things got rolling. Some stellar dance moves on display from Mssrs. MacGowan, Fearnley, and Chevron (whose hand gestures during Turkish Song of the Damned continue to delight). I don't know if someone had a good run at the craps table before the show, but there seemed to be some very happy spirits onstage. But after seeing the DC pics, I was disappointed to see Shane sans hat - thank goodness for Philip and Spider.

On the other hand - argh, that audience. Funny - here everyone was warning me about the Brixton and especially the Glasgow crowds, but I'd take those audiences over an American one any day. Somehow, in the UK, folks know how to enjoy themselves and have a great time without having to turn their fun into someone else's hell. Ah, well...on a lighter note, it was amusing hearing the "Shane-O" chant rendered by a few dozen of Philly's and South Jersey's finest as "Shaayyne-Oww". That's how we do it, friends.

And apparently there were about 30 or so people there from my neighborhood, very odd. But there is a great theater right down the street from me, used to be a vaudeville house, then a movie theater, and now it's host to all sorts of live events (in fact, I think the inaugural rock-type concert was none other than Joe Strummer). The Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA...just keep it in mind next time you come 'round, guys.

Meanwhile, thanks for bringing such joy to AC. Have a wonderful time in Boston, and see you in NYC!

as a genral rule, philly crowds usually suck.....i was there, the crowd was horrible but it was nothing compared to what NYC will be

That was my first Pogues concert and hopefully not my last. My goodness! Those guys were fantastic. The setlist, the playing, the singing...everything was great. For the first 14 songs I got to stay close to the very front center but then just got swept away in the mob "swaying." It was like being caught in an undertow current with no control at all. Somewhere after Body of an American I realized I'm just too old to stay in mob crowds at concerts and retreated to the back to smoke. But what a great night.

First time trip to Atlantic City and New Jersey. Seriously man, that state is the sphincter of the nation. Only way I'll go back is if the Pogues play there again. Couldn't wait to get back to North Carolina.

Saturday's Pogues show at the Borgata was my first live show - and hopefully not my last - since I started listening in 1989 while still in high school. Thanks for the geat show, guys. The set list was excellent, and your mastery of instruments is incredible. I didn't much like the crowd in the center, but I did like the young blonde and the Japanese college student who kept rubbing up against me in the show. Ella Finer's take on Fairytale of New York was really quite moving. Thought the song of the night was Young Ned of the Hill - I was surprised to get it so early in the set. Again, thanks guys, and keep coming back. We need you.

I agree, the crowd was a bit odd.
If I hear one more time what did he just say with a snicker I'm going to punch someone.

The show was brilliant though, of course.

The Borgata has go to be the worst excuse for an event center in the known universe.

Running out of beer and whiskey at a Pogues show??? Unbelievable. Any wait while they go and try and find more kegs is unexcusable. Any response other than "Yes, right away" when you ask for a shot of whiskey is unexcusable. How can a casino have trouble getting alcohol served quickly to thirsty people. Ended up drinking two vodka tonics all night. Who the hell wants to have to leave the event hall go outside and wait in line for 20 minutes when the Pogues are playing.

I seriously think the event staff was overwhelmed, unprepared and understaffed - not nearly enough people working at the two bars I saw open. They had three but closed one. Who the hell did they think was playing, Yo Yo Ma??? It's like they had no idea what was going down. Imagine that. Lousy two drink maximum, prices for drinks too high. Luckily I was the most hungover person in the world and more interested in seeing the show than drinking.

The Borgata should send it's event staff to the 9:30 Club to see how to properly prepare and serve Pogues fans.

The band however was spot on. Overall I very much enjoyed the show. Got to catch all the things I can't remember from Friday at the 9:30.

See you in NYC.

That IS the silliest thing I've ever heard. I actually didn't drink at all during that show. Shocker for me I know!! I saw the lines and wasn't going to have any part in that at all. At least the pubs in AC are open 24 hours to make up for it!!

It's just a dismal place to see a show, start to finish. They've been hosting rock shows long enough to have at least some idea of what to expect - that's not the problem. I think it's more a case of they don't give a damn. They know the majority of concert-goers are there for just that. Sure, we'll drink, maybe even do a bit of gambling, but we're not the lifeblood of the casino and they know it. If you stormed out of there thinking "that's the last time I set foot in that place!", well, they already assumed that would be your attitude before you even showed up, and "served" you accordingly.

Hey, isn't "A Night at the Borgata" the one with the classic scene where all o' the Pogues, plus Margaret Dumont, Kitty Carlisle and a whole slew of Medusans are cramped-but-lively in a ship's stateroom?

You read my mind, carol.

carol wrote:Hey, isn't "A Night at the Borgata" the one with the classic scene where all o' the Pogues, plus Margaret Dumont, Kitty Carlisle and a whole slew of Medusans are in a cramped ship cabin?

Yeah, and Shane plays that solo on the harp he made outta kicking a grand piano to death. Then he looks up with that ANGELIC look to The Inspirer, and......

Gotta love the Marx Brothers.....'specially Karl.

What a great show in Atlantic City...great setlist, and a great performance, even though the Borgata is the shits...but I hope I dont get ripped too badly for saying this, but....

We (meaning me and my friends who went)59 were in shock at how great this show was, especially considering the wretched physical condition of Shane McGowan. His voice sounded basically like the original recordings, and he didnt mess up too badly (just occassionally flipping a verse around during a couple songs). This was the 1st time me and a few friends had ever seen The Pogues live, and TV clips do not do the condition of this man justice until you actually see him in person. We were in the GA section right in front of the stage, only about 2 rows back so he was right in front of us. A guy standing behind us kinda said it best when he said that "John Lennon has been dead for 25 years...Joe Strummer is dead...Jim Morrison only lived to be like 28...yet this man still stands. Unreal".

For those that are going to the shows in NYC, get ready for a wild time. The band is in GREAT form, and like I mentioned earlier, Shane does not do badly at all. Thank God I was able to finally see this band live. Here's to hoping that one day, they come back and play some more shows. Once just doesnt seem to be enough

First time I've had a chance to see the Pogues... and gotta say I was impressed. I've seen Shaney Mac and the Popes a few times, and thought they were pretty good, but the boys can bring it in the Pogues. The musicianship was most impressive. And they looked like they were having a grand time on stage. Some bumps in "Bottle of Smoke" and "Young Ned" at the start, but overall great time. Gotta hope they'll be back here before another 15 years tho.

First time trip to Atlantic City and New Jersey. Seriously man, that state is the sphincter of the nation.


Seriously,too fucking funny!!!!

My first time as well, tt was very very very odd place. I couldn't even explain it to friends when I got home. Did you see the St Patrick's Day Parade? Complete with Hooter's girls tosssing candy to kids. You really have to have a sense of humor there.