manchester central - 15 Dec 2007

[Guest]

What a show - and great to get some different stuff in there too. Transmetropolitan and Greenalnd were real treats. Also can't ever remember Shane sitcking around to do backing vocals on county down. Missed ya loads though Phil...hope to see you Christmas next year.

[Amanda.m]

Sadly mr C was missed but what a cracking night, i put last night in my top 3 of performances and boy have i seen a few,Shane was just magic and so was the rest of the band.
Hello to the boys from Barnsley who i let share my heat lamp i know you post on here it was a pleasure to meet you.
Amanda

[CaptainTimber]

This was my first Pogues gig since 1988 - and I have to say I was blown away. Shane was always a bit flexible with lyrics, so no complaints there

Chris.

[strummercalling]

What a brilliant venue, much better than the MEN, the sound was spot on, I could hear all the instruments. I could hear all the banter between Shane and Spider.

The stand in guitarist was excellent, he did a good job, but really did miss you Phil loads and Thousands Are Sailing was not the same with Shane singing it, don't get me wrong it was good, although typically Shane forgot the words and invented his own. He dedicated it to 'Phil Chevron, who is a little bit ill'.

Thanks Philip for the aftershow passes, although I knew you weren't going to be there, I kept watching the door in case you arrived, but sadly you didn't.

Strummercalling I hope you're alright and you got back to your hotel in one piece, it was really nice to meet you and Eckhard at last and of course it was nice to meet you again Mark WAFC.

Roll on Belfast next weekend.

Yes I did, thanks Good to meet you too and I hope you had a nice rest of the night.

As for Thousands, I was surprised Shane did the verse about "priests" since I remember Philip saying that Shane used to refuse to sing that one.

Yes, it was a great gig and I enjoyed the onstage banter even if I didn't understand all of it. As I remember Shane and Spider were teasing James about his hometown, and after smoking through a few numbers Shane returned and mentioned the smoking ban... They must have threatened him with a fine.

And hearing Transmetropolitan made my night.

[Zuzana]

Some photos from Manchester can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shelbob/se ... 473457349/

[DCHISHOLM]

My first time at the Central and it was the the best place I've been to for a Pogues gig. No messing around at the bar as everything was already set up. The acoustics were brilliant and Shane and the lads were on top form. spent all the night in the pit and thoroughly enjoyed every single song and minute. Can't wait for the next time. Ive had a wonderful last few days starting with the Pogues at Newcastle on Wednesday, The Saw Doctors at the Apollo on Friday and The Pogues again last night.Going to go back to work tomorrow very happy

[Plastic Paddy]

Gig was superb. I bought the holloways CD a couple of weeks ago and they sound as good live as they do in te studio.

The Bragster was fantastic. Greetings to the New brunette, New England, Sexuality, Power in the Union, plus a few more that I know but do not know the song names. Had a dig at Bush and Blair predictably and talked a bit about Womens prisons and guitars. The best bit - He tackled a couple of verses of the Auld triangle - superb. Just a man, guitar, attitude and a chipped coffee mug. Do you need much more?

The band were a bit better than last year! Transmetropolitan and Greenland were great. Nice to see Pair of Brown Eyes back and of course Boys from County Hell and Streams of Whiskey.

Spent loads on shirts. Ladies, there are loads of skinnys (one with ther tour dates) which has been a complaint in recent years. New sorts of prints as well. The Hurley players from Country Hell is a gud un and the Pogue Mahone Whiskey shirt is top. Dirty old Town bag and a mug means I now have to remorgtage the house.

GMEX was much better than the MEN. Apparently Take That were playing there - they can keep it.

Got back to my hotel and found loads of TT fans having a pre sleep cup of char. Sang Relight my Fire really loudly and pretended I had a great time there but I think the Booze smell and T shirt rumbled me slightly.

Go and see the Holloways, gatecrash a Sir William gig and roll on next year.

[ray]

Yes, it was a good one. Thought The Holloways were good, never liked Billy Bragg and still don't. The Pogues were on top form, shame Philip couldn't make it. Was good to hear a couple of songs that are not normally done. Just a mention for Ella Finer, did a good job with FONY, again.

[nboldock]

Fantastic night last night (Mr C - many thanks for the tickets - much appreciated).

Well impressed with the venue - I've not been there before but I thought it was superb (if a bit hot at times...!). I also met the Braggster and a few Pogues (Spider, Darryl and James) and their kind cooperation with my requests for photos was great. Thanks chaps.

Gig itself, storming. A few clunks from Shane but nothing unusual, and after last year's shenanigans, it was great to hear "Fiesta" done with not a single lapse at all. Excellent. Great to see a changed setlist, "Dark Streets Of London" in particular, though I was gutted there was no "Kitty" this year. Still, you can't have everything, can you...

Didn't catch the Holloways as we were in a pub somewhere having a bite to eat. Billy was ace though - I saw him at Glastonbury earlier this year but he played that one acoustic so it was almost like seeing him for the first time. Plus he started with "World Turned Upside Down" which is my absolute favourite Bragg song.

All in all, a brilliant night, though I'm absolutely knackered now. Well worth it though.

Did get some photos and also a bit of video, will check it out and see if it's worth posting.

[nboldock]

Also can't ever remember Shane sitcking around to do backing vocals on county down.

He did in 2004 I think. If I remember correctly, which is vaguely possible!

[philipchevron]

Also can't ever remember Shane sitcking around to do backing vocals on county down.

He did in 2004 I think. If I remember correctly, which is vaguely possible!

Honestly, except for the night he hurt his knee in Boston, Shane has never not sung backing vocals on "Star Of The County Down" - and on the recording too.

[nboldock]

Also can't ever remember Shane sitcking around to do backing vocals on county down.

He did in 2004 I think. If I remember correctly, which is vaguely possible!

Honestly, except for the night he hurt his knee in Boston, Shane has never not sung backing vocals on "Star Of The County Down" - and on the recording too.

I wasn't sure about the other years as I just couldn't remember, but I did think that might be the case. Good to have official confirmation.

I love that song by the way. Even Van The Man's version (with the Chieftains). I've always wondered how a fairly obscure B-side ended up as a regular live number, but I'm glad it did.

[philipchevron]

Also can't ever remember Shane sitcking around to do backing vocals on county down.

He did in 2004 I think. If I remember correctly, which is vaguely possible!

Honestly, except for the night he hurt his knee in Boston, Shane has never not sung backing vocals on "Star Of The County Down" - and on the recording too.

I wasn't sure about the other years as I just couldn't remember, but I did think that might be the case. Good to have official confirmation.

I love that song by the way. Even Van The Man's version (with the Chieftains). I've always wondered how a fairly obscure B-side ended up as a regular live number, but I'm glad it did.

Basically because Darryl wanted to play the drums, I wanted to play the bass (started as a bassist in bands) and the mighty roar of Andrew Ranken deserved to be heard. Andrew remains the only Pogue to have recorded a Pogues lead vocal in an American recording studio (the Hit Factory, New York).

[nboldock]

Also can't ever remember Shane sitcking around to do backing vocals on county down.

He did in 2004 I think. If I remember correctly, which is vaguely possible!

Honestly, except for the night he hurt his knee in Boston, Shane has never not sung backing vocals on "Star Of The County Down" - and on the recording too.

I wasn't sure about the other years as I just couldn't remember, but I did think that might be the case. Good to have official confirmation.

I love that song by the way. Even Van The Man's version (with the Chieftains). I've always wondered how a fairly obscure B-side ended up as a regular live number, but I'm glad it did.

Basically because Darryl wanted to play the drums, I wanted to play the bass (started as a bassist in bands) and the mighty roar of Andrew Ranken deserved to be heard.

Amen to that.

[DCHISHOLM]

Phil, it's also a great song to calm everything down for a couple of minutes,'cos Andrew's got a great voice.