Brixton 17th December 2006

[The Aardvark]

As a regular this is always the start of my Christmas. To be honest the sound was rubbish for about the first 4-5 songs and I couldn't hear Shane at all, then all I could hear wad bass and banjo. It improved a bit but was never really very good.

I had no problems with the crowd where we were - just the normal mix of good natured drunks.

Because of the late start this meant a late finish and this is not ideal for anyone not living in central London. We had to move to the back to hear Fairytale which was annoying as we'd had a brilliant view at the front. Then had to sprint for the last train.

We faves were Dirty Old Thing, Sally Mac and an instrumental I don't know the name of.

Anyone know who sang in Fairytale? Couldn't make out the name.

Worth it though - Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a Pogues gig.

[Beisty]

No thanks at all to the idiot who threatened the whole event by throwing beer over the mixing desk.

Is that what happened? I heard the sound go at about 8:40pm with a loud pop, and when the band still were not on stage after 9:30 I was getting very concerned.

Still when they came on they did make up for it. Although saying that, it did seem to take them a while to really get going, or was it just me (I had had a really crap evening up to that point)? The sound system was a bit like listening to the band in a large goldfish bowl.

Gotta say that Philips performance of Thousands Are Sailing has to be the best I have ever heard. It realy seemed to get the whole crowd going, following a heartfelt plea for the Justice for Kirsty campaign (I hope all Medusans gave generously). Definately the song of the night. Thanks for that Philip, it really is appreciated by the paying punters when an artist really gives it his all like you did.

It was great to hear Kitty, was a bit dissapointed by the version of Auld Triangle (it seemed a bit rushed) although still very welcome. Noticed that there was no Waxies or Poor Paddy. Was that due to the late start? In fact was there a couple of songs missing due to time constraints.

Special mention has to go out to Christina, who was the only Medusan I met last night (despite wearing my T-shirt - thanks DZM). We met in Nandos before the gig.

BTW Christina - sorry if I seemed a bit distracted when you came in but I was in the middle of a difficult phone call (it was to do with the fact that I had been having a crap evening). Never made it to the Canturbury as I wanted to check out the support act, who I must say were the best support band I've seen at a Pogues Re-union (I think it is time to drop the re-union bit now).

And as for the pissed up skinhead with tattoos, who was down the front (slightly to the left). You are a right cunt, you were hitting people over the head with your bottles, falling over every five seconds... in the end I gave up trying to pick you and just trod on your bollocks in an attempt to prevent you from breeding. You and all the other tossers who cannot handle your drink should stick to your chav nightclubs throughout little Britain. Don't get me wrong, I like a good mosh pit as much as the next saddo, but there are limits.

Also - did Andrew throw a drumstick into the crowd? Somehow I ended up with one, but I do not remember him throwing it.

Despite everything, there was something about that gig that made it all worthwhile. It was a frustrating night in many ways, but strangely satisfying. I might sound like a moaning git, but I kinda enjoyed it. And Shane was definately in great form, with lots of banter with the audience and other band members.

Same again next year?

[Cornish Andy]

Anyone know who sang in Fairytale? Couldn't make out the name.

It was the wonderful Ella Finer, daughter of Jem, who now seems to be a regular in this slot.

[Beisty]

Anyone know who sang in Fairytale? Couldn't make out the name.
.

Ella Finer. Jem's (banjo player in case you don't know) daughter.

[pogues24]

What did the set list consist of this time around. I would have loved to hear Waxie's Dargle, Kitty, The Auld Triangle, and Poor Paddy, back when I sas them in Atlantic City earlier this year. I read in one review, correct me if I'm wrong that they introduced Summer In Siam as well. Get back to me if I'm wrong.

Iain

[Beisty]

There was no Summer in Siam. Only tracks from Hell's Ditch were Sayonara and Sunnyside of the Street.

The Brixton 17th setlist was obviously affected by the late start, but was the same as previous years, with Kitty replacing Old Main Drag and Auld Triangle replacing Star of the County Down.

[philipchevron]

No thanks at all to the idiot who threatened the whole event by throwing beer over the mixing desk.

Is that what happened? I heard the sound go at about 8:40pm with a loud pop, and when the band still were not on stage after 9:30 I was getting very concerned.

Still when they came on they did make up for it. Although saying that, it did seem to take them a while to really get going, or was it just me (I had had a really crap evening up to that point)? The sound system was a bit like listening to the band in a large goldfish bowl.

When the front-of-house mixing desk fell foul of a carelessly-wielded pint of beer, the console gave up the ghost instantly. A decision had to be made whether to cancel the show or attempt to copy the Pogues' sound settings into the second mixer (the one used by the support band) and work from that instead. If the latter stood a chance of succeeding, it would have to be accomplished by 9.30 as the Academy's strict 11pm curfew could only be extended to 11.30 at the latest in these exceptional circumstances. The Pogues, the Pogues' crew and the Academy would have to make a definite decision by 9.20. So, as our sound crew frantically and heroically, not to mention manually, copied the Pogues' sound mix onto Larrikin Love's mixing desk, DJ Scratchy made an announcement explaining that there would be a delay. At 9.20 we decided the show would go on and we hit the stage at 9.30 bedevilled, inevitably, by sound adjustments for the first few numbers.

It was felt to be the wisest course to inform the crowd of as few details as possible until we knew for certain if we were going to play or cancel: it would not have been helpful to have had 5,000 additional people involved in the will they/won't they debate, which would also explain why Scratchy felt he needed to play a low-key set of records, to help maintain calm.

"The Auld Triangle" was the victim of a misunderstanding. We had made provisional plans to cut "Poor Paddy" if we looked to be pushing up against the new 11.30 curfew. In the event, we had plenty of time to keep "Poor Paddy" in, and that's what we all thought we were playing when we returned for the second set of encores. However, Shane had somehow gotten hold of the wrong information and thought "Poor Paddy" was still cut. Unfortunately, the rumbling guitar intro to "The Auld Triangle" is almost identical to that of "Poor Paddy" and that's how I came to be playing "Poor Paddy" and Shane came to be singing "The Auld Triangle". An instantaneous decision had to be tacitly taken that we were were going to pursue the "Auld Triangle" strand of this peculiar fugue, but eagle-eyed tour regulars will have noticed that neither Jem (guitar) or myself (piano) were at our usual stations for the number.

[firehazard]

When the front-of-house mixing desk fell foul of a carelessly-wielded pint of beer, the console gave up the ghost instantly. A decision had to be made whether to cancel the show or attempt to copy the Pogues' sound settings into the second mixer...

Thanks for that explanation, Mr C. I'd sort of gathered most of what was going on, but obviously not in that amount of detail. I'm now even more impressed (if that were possible) by the professionalism of the band. And many, many thanks to the sound crew etc. for keeping the show on the road.

[guest]

This is Frame. I left my passwords at home.

Overall, the gig was all the things I enjoy about the London Shows as well as bring on the Victoria line to Brixton. Will be back tonight and then Dublin. Can the band hear things on stage? I know it gets crazy loud up there. Also after seing the band in Cali, it was nice being ina place wher you can smoke.

Cheers,

Frame

[Beisty]

...I came to be playing "Poor Paddy" and Shane came to be singing "The Auld Triangle".

That's quite a story.

Considering what the band and the crew had to contend with, I think it wasan amazing result that you pulled it off. Overcoming all adversity and all that...

[Guest]

That was a really good gig and the band seemed fired up for it. Fair play to them for keeping it going.

There were a few more tossers in the crowd than usual. One guy in a white Ireland rugby shirt deciding to have a piss on everybody has to be a low point.

[Beisty]

One guy in a white Ireland rugby shirt deciding to have a piss on everybody has to be a low point.

He was just concerned that we were all overheating.

[CraigBatty]

...you were hitting people over the head with your bottles, falling over every five seconds... in the end I gave up trying to pick you and just trod on your bollocks in an attempt to prevent you from breeding. You and all the other tossers who cannot handle your drink should stick to your chav nightclubs throughout little Britain. Don't get me wrong, I like a good mosh pit as much as the next saddo, but there are limits...

Classic.
Best. Post. Of. The. Day. So. Far.

Can't stand these sort of eejits. I mean I was absolutely LOCKED last night at The Dubs gig, but didn't feel the need to harrass or offend or assault anybody. Not that there tends to be a mosh pit at Dubliner's gigs But you know what I mean.

[rumsodomyandthelash]

No thanks at all to the idiot who threatened the whole event by throwing beer over the mixing desk.

Is that what happened? I heard the sound go at about 8:40pm with a loud pop, and when the band still were not on stage after 9:30 I was getting very concerned.

Still when they came on they did make up for it. Although saying that, it did seem to take them a while to really get going, or was it just me (I had had a really crap evening up to that point)? The sound system was a bit like listening to the band in a large goldfish bowl.

When the front-of-house mixing desk fell foul of a carelessly-wielded pint of beer, the console gave up the ghost instantly. A decision had to be made whether to cancel the show or attempt to copy the Pogues' sound settings into the second mixer (the one used by the support band) and work from that instead. If the latter stood a chance of succeeding, it would have to be accomplished by 9.30 as the Academy's strict 11pm curfew could only be extended to 11.30 at the latest in these exceptional circumstances. The Pogues, the Pogues' crew and the Academy would have to make a definite decision by 9.20. So, as our sound crew frantically and heroically, not to mention manually, copied the Pogues' sound mix onto Larrikin Love's mixing desk, DJ Scratchy made an announcement explaining that there would be a delay. At 9.20 we decided the show would go on and we hit the stage at 9.30 bedevilled, inevitably, by sound adjustments for the first few numbers.

It was felt to be the wisest course to inform the crowd of as few details as possible until we knew for certain if we were going to play or cancel: it would not have been helpful to have had 5,000 additional people involved in the will they/won't they debate, which would also explain why Scratchy felt he needed to play a low-key set of records, to help maintain calm.

"The Auld Triangle" was the victim of a misunderstanding. We had made provisional plans to cut "Poor Paddy" if we looked to be pushing up against the new 11.30 curfew. In the event, we had plenty of time to keep "Poor Paddy" in, and that's what we all thought we were playing when we returned for the second set of encores. However, Shane had somehow gotten hold of the wrong information and thought "Poor Paddy" was still cut. Unfortunately, the rumbling guitar intro to "The Auld Triangle" is almost identical to that of "Poor Paddy" and that's how I came to be playing "Poor Paddy" and Shane came to be singing "The Auld Triangle". An instantaneous decision had to be tacitly taken that we were were going to pursue the "Auld Triangle" strand of this peculiar fugue, but eagle-eyed tour regulars will have noticed that neither Jem (guitar) or myself (piano) were at our usual stations for the number.

Well a massive thankyou to everyone that got this gig on, the trip i made from Brum was not a chaep one and it would have been a real blow if the gig had been cancelled, I have to agree with others that thousands was absolutley fantastic, as good a rendition as i have hurd, infact i thought the gig as a whole was top notch despite the problems, i fortunately did not see the fights, i feel for those of you that did it puts a real downer on things. I did make the Canterbury before and after the gig and amazeingly met Walshy and wigan Mark as i stumbled upon them mid gig, great to meet you both, we sang along and hugged each other in a friendly we are medusans type of way
Happy christmas to everyone, lets hope there are many more Pogues gigs in 2007

[Kilkenny Cat]

It was felt to be the wisest course to inform the crowd of as few details as possible until we knew for certain if we were going to play or cancel: it would not have been helpful to have had 5,000 additional people involved in the will they/won't they debate, which would also explain why Scratchy felt he needed to play a low-key set of records, to help maintain calm.

.

I take back what I said earlier about DJ Scratchy's choice of tracks. A wise decision at the time.

A big thank you to all the sound guys for getting the show back on