2004 Reunion - Manchester

**Sun Dec 19, 2004 3:54 pm**

Re: Manchester gig
Enjoyed the gig - Christmas has finally arrived.
The show started really well with Shane in good jocular mood and screaming through If I Should Fall..and looking well. His mood darkened 20 mins in when his glass of Martini/Vodka/Water (?) covered his shirt after an unwelcome item of clothing was thrown from the crowd. He seemed to sulk and lose a bit of interest and the show was just average for 45 mins or so, although the band held things together very well and adapted to Shane singing too quick, forgetting the odd line etc. Are we sure they haven't all kept in touch and been riffing together these past few years?
Regular exits from Shane were accompanied by him seeming a little more drunk each time he came back, which contributed to a piss poor version of Old Main Drag.
The show came back together at the end with a great encore, beautiful version of Fairytale..where Shane didn't come in at the first attempt as he thought Cait had stood him up and Fiesta to finish.
As usual, some fantastic moments, making it more than worthwhile. Just a shame about the venue as the sound seems to get lost. The Apollo was a far better venue but I guess the Arena brings in more money and the massive crowds made it a good decision for the band.
Overall 7/10 - although I was in a seat fairly near the stage, which might have had an influence.

**Sun Dec 19, 2004 4:48 pm**

I hear you Mr Guest.
Im one of the few Pogues fans (as it seems) that doesn't have a romantized picture of alcohol. I have seen up close what it can do to people.
I would be thrilled to see Shane sobering up. But like the rest of us I've grown to accept some minor problems from his side.
It was different 20 years ago when he hadn't had too much of the good stuff yet.. But yeah,, I think he's better off now then he was some years ago and I really enjoyed his performance in Glasgow.

It's really strange to hear people wishing him to be drunk and stuff.. He could be so much more then drunk you know.

Wellhell.. yeah..

Shane is a true hero, drunk or sober.
And sure, his lyrics got a great boost from his real life experience of life's hard school. But it's not like he needs any more experience of it now yeah

It only stops him from writing.

**Sun Dec 19, 2004 8:13 pm**

SORRY FOR POSTING THIS MANY TIMES BUT THIS NEEDS SAYING
I think some peoples rose tinted glasses have cracked lens i saw the pogues on the rum sodomy tour,with the popes at the heinken festival and the last reunion tour and to be honest that last tour and the show last night was the best form i could hope he could be in and way better than 20 years ago !!!!!!!!!!!

how can people possibly criticise last night ive seen the pogues 3 time shane once and that was equal best with the reunion show at the academy 3 years ago. have pretty much lost my voice met some great new friends and got invited for xmas lunch to a strangers house !!!! i think his wife might object
danced like a fool and cnat remember a gig with such a great atmosphere and so many people smiling i can only presume the bad reviews on this site are from non or part time fans who were sat at teh back of the arena instead of with the true faithful standing at the front
shane was on fine form and really singing well in his style if you were expecting pavarotti well then you were in teh wrong venue, the band played tight and the setlist as last reunion perfect all this and the delectable cait back on board and singing fine respect to the saw doctors too, the snow at the end of fairytale was great fun !!!
conclusion the pogues live are as ever a great show,this music is passionate music and if you dont come to enjoy yourself stay at home i think the people who didnt enjoy it dont really know the pogues repertoire or get shane at all to be honest i think his stage persona is part of his facade and if you studied his facial expressions he was just teasing the bloody crowd
roll on next tour but dont leave it 3 years this time !!

**Sun Dec 19, 2004 8:26 pm**

You repeated yourself :roll:

**Sun Dec 19, 2004 9:00 pm**

the joys of cut and paste

**Mon Dec 20, 2004 12:14 am**

Well I am an avid saw doctors fan and thoroughly enjoyed the saw doctors, but the Pogues were AWESOME. Shane MacGowan was tremendous. as for the first person who posted. If you went to a Pogues gig not expecting Shane to behave as he did then you really dont know the Pogues at all. I think pretty close to the 20 000 people left that MEN well happy with the performance they got. From your post it seems you are actually a huge Saw doctors fan, wishing to down Shanes performance, but I really don't think you'll get a lot of support either on this board or amiong the 20000 who attended the MEN.

**Mon Dec 20, 2004 8:41 am**

So it's just me and the Sunday Herald then ?

http://www.sundayherald.com/46688

**Mon Dec 20, 2004 11:59 am**

Yup

Great to see the avalanche of outstanding Manchester reviews on the Paddy Rolling Stone board (as well as here.)

'Best thing I've been to in my f*cking life' seems to be the standard review!

**Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:11 pm**

Well I thought they were shit hot at Manchester, and Shane looked in a better state than he did on the Frank Skinner show the other week.

**Mon Dec 20, 2004 1:35 pm**

I spent £230 on Tickets, £40 on Merchandise, about £60 on ten or twelve drinks, and wouold happily add a zero onto the total to have the experience again. The Saw Doctors were great, The Pogues were absolutely on top form. I've seen them around 30 times, and the Manchester Gig was by far the best yet. My Two Daughters Holly, and Hannah aged 9 and 7 haven't stopped raving about the quality of the performances, in all there were 7 of us there and I didn't see a dissapointed face on the 20G crowd, it's not about hero-worship, it's not about ogling at the pissed up buffoon, it's about appreciating the Worlds Finest Living Lyricist, performing his songs with his band, it really was Awesome, beg, steal, blag or borrow, you simply have to get to Brixton if you've not seen this set yet. MacGowan a pantmime? I'd like to Hark that Herald's Angel Sing - http://www.sundayherald.com/46688 - Shite Review, hope you enjoyed Boyzone and Keating the following evening, which is obviously why you were sent there!

**Mon Dec 20, 2004 2:13 pm**

Really well said Belly.. !
Couldn't agree with you more.

**Mon Dec 20, 2004 5:53 pm**

Spot on Bellybarker! Great your kids enjoyed it too

**Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:04 pm**

Firstly, who are you? secondly Why?

**Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:22 pm**

was gonna really give you some stick about your review of the manchester show but have decided i can,t be bothered.you are probably one of these people who go on holiday and spend 2 weeks trying to find something to moan about...............stay at home next time mate!!!!!!!

**Mon Dec 20, 2004 7:30 pm**

most repect to everyone who has replied on this page
hope the pogues will be still playing when my 5 yeare old daughte ris old enough to go cos she loves them already

2004 Reunion - Manchester

My thoughts re last night

Manchester Gig

Manchester

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