2004 Reunion - Manchester

[Guest]

After attending the Pogues gig in Manchester last night, I would like to state my true feelings.

Firstly, the highlight of my night was The Saw Doctors, absolutely superb professional band who were let down by the low attendance, no doubt most of whom were in the local hostelries getting tanked up (which later proved necessary) before the "big event".

After enjoying the Saw Doctors so much, (no, I'm not an avid SD fan) we waited in anticipation for the arrival of the Pogues. The stage opened to an impressive backdrop.

The music started, which sounded superb, and then on came the irresponsible drunken (drugged up?) idiot, Shane McGowan..!!!

I am not a kid, I have always been a fan of the Pogues since my youth, but this guy is just taking the piss.!!

There must have been 20k people in the M.E.N. arena, paying probably around £30 per head (over half a million ££) ?? and this is how he treats them.??

Before you start on me, yes I know "that's what he does", but to what extent ? Is it really necessary for a "professional" musician to get so much off his head that he can't even pronounce a single word, nevermind remember his words or sing properly.

A great way to make a comeback (beer fund top-up) ??

I hoped that he was messing around, but when he spilled his drink down his shirt, and started swinging the mic around like a child, I realised it was for real.

I feel he was an insult to the paying public, and the rest of the band, who clearly played and sang better when Shane left the stage.
The band themselves were superb professionals who somehow managed to carry this fool through to the end.

On the way home in the car we played a Pogues CD and realised that those days have truly gone for ever.

I don't know how much the band gets paid for these gigs, but the musicians deserve it for their professionalism and having to put up with this pantomime star.!!!!!

We still had a good night out, but felt nothing more than pity for the man.!!

Cheers

[SG]

I did not attend last nights gig, but I am not surprised by these comments. The Saw Doctors are about the top live band ever, audience particpation, humour, slick musicians.......they have the X factor!! Woooooh oh oh wooooh ohoh ooh (Clare Island!).

In truth, The Pogues supporting The Saw Doctors would be more fitting!

[Guest]

I did not attend last nights gig, but I am not surprised by these comments. The Saw Doctors are about the top live band ever, audience particpation, humour, slick musicians.......they have the X factor!! Woooooh oh oh wooooh ohoh ooh (Clare Island!).

In truth, The Pogues supporting The Saw Doctors would be more fitting!

[Irishman]

LMAO!!!!!!


WHAT DID U EXPECT!!

[Guest]

Unfortunately Guest I am going to say it -- THAT IS WHAT SHANE DOES -- swinging his mike around and spilling beer. He's been doing the same stage act since 1977.

[Guest]

I can't speak for Manchester but the earlier concerts WERE as good as anything he's ever done. The 'old days' are not gone. Just be nice if they did a new album now.

[fax]

he hasnt been sober for 20 years and you expect him to turn up and give a studio type performance?,
its the first time ive seen them and hopefully not the last.it was everything i was expecting,i even think id have been disapointed if he wasnt pissed.
not shure about doing fairytale though as i dont think anyone apart from kisty can do it justice.

[Same gig?]

review from the FOS message board. Interesting how subjective our impressions are!

"Just Got Back From Manchester ! BLOODY AMAZING, i could not believe how many people where there! just goes to show that Shane with the Pogues can pull off BIG arena venues, I thought the Pogues sounded very tight & proffesional tonight, Shane was slightly more hammered than last night in Brum & night quite as good, but still a FANTASTIC gig, I hope someone filmed it, by the way Mr Chevron, you were SUPERB on thousands are sailing, cheers guys for a great night"

[Irishman]

That would be a great show.

[MacGee]

"i even think id have been disapointed if he wasnt pissed."

Sad, very sad you think that way. Unfortunatly, i think many (which is far to be all) of so called MacGowan's fans share your thoughts : they want him to be pissed, no matter if he fucked up many of his OWN songs.

When i'm going to a concert and even if it's the big Shane MacGowan on scene, i'm waiting for a minimum of respect to the public.

By what i've read today, that was not the case yesterday and only because MacGowan "was not in the mood" and too drunk to sing properly.
Even more a pity knowing the band was absolutly great.

Anyway, i hope on this day of rest, the management will do his job properly and put him on the right track for the last gigs.

[Guest]

searching round the internet 9/10 reviews of Manc are extremely positive.

[MacGee]

searching round the internet 9/10 reviews of Manc are extremely positive.

I'm waiting for the reviews in the Guardian and in the Independent (which did extatic reviews of 2001 Reunion) to see if it was that positive... For now, it doesn't seem to me it was that good at Manchester.

[swalshy]

No! They were excellent in Manchester!

[Katy-Jo]

A fabulous time had by all - there will be many hard-earned hangovers and sore throats this morning no doubt!!

I can't think of many other bands which could put out a front man who can hardly pronounce half the words due to a severe lack of teeth but still get 15,000 people hollering for more!!

It started brilliantly with the Saw Doctors doing their bit to get the crowd up and jumping - fantastic version of green & red of Mayo included. Then on to the main course of fiendish accordians, whistles, drums and guitars - the tunes and songs just don't age and Cait really added to the atmosphere bounding about the stage.

Well worth travelling through the day for - lets have more!!

[geust]

im sorry, but if anyone gives them a bad review i will personally go down to london and knock them dead...