2004 Reunion - Brixton, London

**Wed Dec 22, 2004 2:14 pm**

What a storming show! Best I've seen from them.Even better than 3 years ago. All the classics were there & you couldn't fault the set list. Highlights were Cait singing 'i'm a man you don't meet everyday', Dirty Old Town was a mass singalong as ever, and Body Of An American was emotional for me.
The atmosphere was electric, helped by the being in the best venue in London.
A perfect night out.
''what'll you have......?'

**Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:26 pm**

I thoroughly enjoyed it too! I've seen the Pogues/Popes around a dozen times and would say this was about the best....maybe cos of the nostalgia!

Thought Shane was better than I'd seen him for years and the atmosphere was terrrific
.

Does anyone know what the slow, traditional song was that Andrew Ranken did towards the end (first encore, I think) - I think it might have been the Limerick Rake?

**Wed Dec 22, 2004 9:43 pm**

Does anyone know what the slow, traditional song was that Andrew Ranken did towards the end (first encore, I think) - I think it might have been the Limerick Rake?

It's "Star of the County Down"

**Thu Dec 23, 2004 1:19 pm**

I'm gutted - I looked forward to my first Pogues gig since the tickets were booked. I stood for two hours at the front and just as they came on stage this really big brave man behind me decided he wanted my space so proceeded to hit me on the back of the head with his fist until I had no choice but to get the hell out of there. It was really grim as security had to pull me out and being smacked over the head several times by a six foot bloke is grim, especially when you are a five foot five petite female. So I only got to get a glimpse of the band and being bashed around on purpose pretty much ruined for me. I hope whoever the w****r is feels really proud of himself for being a woman basher!

**Thu Dec 23, 2004 2:29 pm**

Guest: yup, the crowd was horrible! (I was there on the 21st.) I was intent on standing in front row, and I did. Being 1,65 and not too big that was a real fight, but I made it. And it was worth it, even though I was halfway hoping they'd skip the encores as I thought I would explode. I'm actually amazed that none of my ribs snapped.

Must say that the security guys really knew what they were doing, though, but it wouldn't have been possible to pull the first three rows of drunken middle aged morons out of there to create a better front row...

Plus, to the man who kept rubbing himself up at me with a hardon: go and die. NOW!

**Thu Dec 23, 2004 7:08 pm**

Thanks to all those involved in the Pogues show of the 21st in London. My son and I made the trip from California, and had a fantastic time. It was all I had hoped for and more. Shane was in good spirits, and the band was in top form all night. Hats off to those of us in the circle, on their feet dancing through all the encores. I could go on and on, it was definitely a night I will always remember.

**Thu Dec 23, 2004 7:12 pm**

Thanks Guest

**Fri Dec 24, 2004 9:54 am**

Ok, i admit. I was wrong, so damn wrong. Before my trip in London, by what i've read concerning Manchester's gig, i feared that MacGowan would have not been in proper state to give us the christmas gift we were all waiting for.
I came to Brixton Academy on the 21st and on the 22nd and maybe the first night, because i was quite tired, i didn't enjoy the show as much as i would want to.
Though, there were some messy points on that night. At first, the sound was a bit shitty, particular for the first two songs, even MacGowan seemed to complain about it.
Secondable, the band made a few mistakes : it was obvious on the last song, "Fiesta" which finished up somewhat incoherently.
And to conclude with, Shane gave us a poor version of "The old main drag", though, i suspect it was not enterly his fault. As well, "Fairytale of New York" with Cait O'Riordan didn't appear as powerful as it was when the sadly missed Kirsty MacColl used to sing it (the false start didn't help either).

But the delightful surprise of this first night show is the fact Shane was incredibly great, as said the Independent, greeted like a conquering hero. His voice sounded better than it has for years and he seemed really enjoying to play with his ex-partners, smiling sometimes like a kid very happy of himself. And i can tell you, that was such a JOY to see him like that and to hear most of the words pronounced more than correctly.
And on both nights, Cait O'Riordan delivered a wonderful... "I'm a man you don't meet everyday".

Oh yeah, she told us right and even more, on the second night (22nd).

The messy points were gone and that was, that was, God, how can i describe such an infinite pleasure ?

Shane was even greater than on the first night and the band played like magnificent rebel crusaders who have not forgotten the origin of their soul.
Like the good ol' days were back again !
Nothing was missing, really : from "Streams of Whiskey" to "Fiesta", last but not least, they delivered a performance which was TRULY memorable, a "souvenir" which will always stay in our minds.

I wanted to kiss them all after the show sadly ended up (it could have lasted all night. I didn't even realize it was already over, still a few tears on my cheeks because of their perfect moving version of "A pair of brown eyes" and "A Rainy Night in Soho") but unfortunatly, i didn't meet them.
So, if i may, i wish them all my best :
Mr Philip Chevron,
Mr Peter "Spider" Stacy
Mr Andrew Ranken,
Mr Jem Finer,
Mr Darryl Hunt,
Mr James Fearnley,
Mr Terry Woods,
Ms Cait O'Riordan,
And yes, the truly great Mr Shane MacGowan,

Thanks, thanks, thanks again and may you never fall from Grace as God bless your soul.

And by the way, on the second night, of course, they did again "Fairytale of New York" and this time, YES, it was magical.

Merry fuckin' Christmas, everyone !

2004 Reunion - Brixton, London

2004 Reunion - Brixton, London

2004 - 21st in Brixton show-GREAT

Christmas with the Pogues (Brixton, 21&22/12/2004)

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