March 9, 2007 Avalon, Boston - reviews, photos

**Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:28 am**

Another great performance. A bit of a late start, but Philip apologized, and what did it matter, really? It was phenomenal. Of course I had to deal with the "boys" standing beside me bouncing about, but they were having a good time, so no harm done. (Except for the shaved head drunken, sweaty dim-wit who tried to push the fellow beside me and his girlfriend out of the way, was stopped and then threatened them by cocking his arm with a fist. He should know that the rest of the show was a blast, made more pleasant by his early dismissal). There was even a dad who brought his son with him. After escaping the pit a couple of nice ladies standing in front of Corey Mac and myself let him stand right at the barricade in front of the stage. My first show was the back row of the Orpheum, so I hope he appreciated the view! So... a rambling review without much info (I did not write down a set list-sorry)but I am still excited. I'll be in the same spot tomorrow with my large balding frame taking up too much room, so apologies in advance. If I could make one request, it would be for Shane to wear his hat again. He did look rather happy in it!

P.S. Do not bring your billiards trophies to the show, as it seems they will be confiscated, to your great dismay. How one got through the door tonight, I don't know, but really...a trophy?

**Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:39 am**

Quincy Dan wrote:Another great performance. A bit of a late start, but Philip apologized, and what did it matter, really? It was phenomenal. Of course I had to deal with the "boys" standing beside me bouncing about, but they were having a good time, so no harm done. (Except for the shaved head drunken, sweaty dim-wit who tried to push the fellow beside me and his girlfriend out of the way, was stopped and then threatened them by cocking his arm with a fist. He should know that the rest of the show was a blast, made more pleasant by his early dismissal). There was even a dad who brought his son with him. After escaping the pit a couple of nice ladies standing in front of Corey Mac and myself let him stand right at the barricade in front of the stage. My first show was the back row of the Orpheum, so I hope he appreciated the view! So... a rambling review without much info (I did not write down a set list-sorry)but I am still excited. I'll be in the same spot tomorrow with my large balding frame taking up too much room, so apologies in advance. If I could make one request, it would be for Shane to wear his hat again. He did look rather happy in it!

P.S. Do not bring your billiards trophies to the show, as it seems they will be confiscated, to your great dismay. How one got through the door tonight, I don't know, but really...a trophy?

That was a little surreal. I couldn't figure out how the guy was going to summon the energy to wave his billiard trophy around for two whole hours. I hope he got it back after the show.

Website · **Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:47 am**

Quincy Dan wrote:Another great performance. A bit of a late start, but Philip apologized, and what did it matter, really? It was phenomenal. Of course I had to deal with the "boys" standing beside me bouncing about, but they were having a good time, so no harm done. (Except for the shaved head drunken, sweaty dim-wit who tried to push the fellow beside me and his girlfriend out of the way, was stopped and then threatened them by cocking his arm with a fist. He should know that the rest of the show was a blast, made more pleasant by his early dismissal). There was even a dad who brought his son with him. After escaping the pit a couple of nice ladies standing in front of Corey Mac and myself let him stand right at the barricade in front of the stage. My first show was the back row of the Orpheum, so I hope he appreciated the view! So... a rambling review without much info (I did not write down a set list-sorry)but I am still excited. I'll be in the same spot tomorrow with my large balding frame taking up too much room, so apologies in advance. If I could make one request, it would be for Shane to wear his hat again. He did look rather happy in it!

P.S. Do not bring your billiards trophies to the show, as it seems they will be confiscated, to your great dismay. How one got through the door tonight, I don't know, but really...a trophy?

Thats funny I was like right next to you. I was on the other side of the two that that asshole was hassling standing in front of an older lady. I was wearing a Boston GAA shirt. But yea another good night despite the late start which wasnt a huge deal. And I meant to say it in yesterday's thread but great choice of opener he's class.

**Sat Mar 10, 2007 7:50 am**

In a show chock full of highlights (Mac was in FINE form,) the one that most stands out is Shane asking if the hat makes him look gay and Phillip adamantly shaking his head no...then Spider replying that it "depends what you mean by gay." Classic.

Yea, the guy with the trophy was a bit stupid, especially when he was imploring the bouncer to return it to him.

All in all, few things in life are better than being that close during such a magical performance. Almost takes away the excitement over the great seats I have for the Orpheum...

See y'all tonight.

**Sat Mar 10, 2007 7:52 am**

Phoist wrote:And I meant to say it in yesterday's thread but great choice of opener he's class.

I second that - WEW was absolutely amazing. I'm quite looking forward to another set from him as well.

**Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:11 pm**

Yeah, WEW was pretty amazing. It's remarkable what someone can do with just a banjo and his foot. I am right with you tonight, Corey, in catching his set again tonight.

As for a billiards trophy...blaagghh...I'M bringing my lucky cinder block!

**Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:12 pm**

Yes, I used "tonight" twice in a sentence. Hey it's pretty early.

**Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:20 pm**

Quincy Dan wrote:Yes, I used "tonight" twice in a sentence. Hey it's pretty early.

Too early for operating the "edit" buton?

**Sat Mar 10, 2007 1:04 pm**

Umm, yes, well there'sthat

**Sat Mar 10, 2007 1:53 pm**

Although it got a bit old after an hour, did anyone ever ascertain what was being played in between WEW and the Pogues? I was really loving it for a while.

**Sat Mar 10, 2007 2:13 pm**

Great show. Magnificent.
Did Shane forget the lyrics to the first three songs or was his mic fading in & out? Man, he looked like he was goooonnnnneee, moreso than the Boston shows last year.
Kudos to the band for keeping things afloat during the first few numbers.

**Sat Mar 10, 2007 2:23 pm**

philofbelloni wrote:Great show. Magnificent.
Did Shane forget the lyrics to the first three songs or was his mic fading in & out? Man, he looked like he was goooonnnnneee, moreso than the Boston shows last year.
Kudos to the band for keeping things afloat during the first few numbers.

No, he was pretty much spot-on from my view.

**Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:51 pm**

paraphrasing shane on his tardiness: "Jesus Christ, you can't find a good fucking cup of tea anywhere in this town."
Classic.

Lyrics aside, that was the only banter I could understand. Everything else sounded like "Grbeleflbeefldksjdfajklsdlfkja"
The guy is a genius.

**Sat Mar 10, 2007 9:05 pm**

Pardon moi if this has been posted elsewhere:

A healthier MacGowan makes for a stronger Pogues
By Joan Anderman, Globe Staff | March 10, 2007

Maybe the flashing red disc hanging from a cord over Shane MacGowan's heart sent electric pulses to his vital organs. Perhaps the electric fan at his feet -- turned to full blast on a frigid night when clubgoers at Avalon kept their coats on -- helped him remain vertical. Surely the seven stellar musicians surrounding the singer were a bedrock when it came to concert-related details like starting and finishing songs.

Whatever the explanation -- and it's likely to remain as mysterious as the foul babble that passed for stage banter -- the famously wasted Pogues frontman was in fine form on Thursday during the first of four Boston shows loosely pegged to St. Patrick's Day. Last year at this time MacGowan was bearded, bloated, and ghostly pale. He lurched and wheezed his way through set lists, inspiring little confidence in a future for the Pogues.

Twelve months later he looks a whole lot healthier, if not exactly hale, and delivered a performance that was as remarkable for its musicality as for its shambling spirit.

The enduring poetry of the Pogues' music was front and center, as the punk-ish din of youthful rebellion has become the sound of survival. The sloshing bottle of wine MacGowan gripped seemed more prop than pacifier as the 49-year-old Irishman wended tenderly through "The Broad Majestic Shannon," spewed "Dirty Old Town" with debauched soul and spot-on pitch, and conjured a strong, steady croon for "A Rainy Night in Soho." He left the stage from time to time, ceding the spotlight to whistle player Spider Stacy , guitarist Philip Chevron, and multi-instrumentalist Terry Woods, who each took a turn at the microphone. The band's elegant, careening clatter shone in the absence of MacGowan's magnetic pull.

But the singer always returned, fresh cigarette and new container of booze in hand, and for the first time in a long time it didn't seem like a miracle. The show grew tighter and more spirited, not messier and more tragic, as the nearly two-hour set wore on -- culminating in a stunning run of "Star of the County Down," "Poor Paddy," the Dubliners' "The Old Triangle," and salty, waltzing "Fiesta." MacGowan didn't miss a beat, even as the tempos raced and he and Stacy bashed themselves on the head with sheet metal. After all these years it's going to take more than a little self-inflicted percussion to take the Pogues down.

Joan Anderman can be reached at anderman@globe.com. For more on music visit boston.com/ae/music/blog

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living ... er_pogues/

Funny that the Globe found Shane hale & healthy while the Herald described his decline. Fantastic that they were both at the same show!

Shane is all things to all people.

**Sun Mar 11, 2007 5:10 pm**

I really can't imagine Friday night's show being better. At one point, I turned to my friend and said "I wish they had played Sally MacLennane" and I swear, Shane leaned into the mic and said "the next song is Sally MacLennane." He and the band sounded great, it was just perfect.

Tonight I'll be seeing them with my 2 teenage cousins whose dad (from Tipp) introduced me to the Pogues when I was 12. I bet the show will be just as excellent.

March 9, 2007 Avalon, Boston - reviews, photos

March 9, 2007 Avalon, Boston - reviews, photos

Re: March 9, 2007 Avalon (Tonight)

Re: March 9, 2007 Avalon (Tonight)

Re: March 9, 2007 Avalon (Tonight)

Shane's opening quote

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