March 5 & 6 2008: Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL

[Michael Howes]

Yes, it was worthwhile. I doubt the people around me enjoyed my singing as much as I did. Re: how old am I .. 48. I discovered the Pogues about 6 years ago during my divorce. Their tone, style and subject matter spoke to me at that time.

[tomcallahan]

I was at the March 6 show. (kenealy13, sorry I missed you after the show, we got split up, it was a great time though!)

It was my first Pogues show - here was my impression.

1. The Pogues showed up and played like absolute pros. Every song was done with energy and enthusiasm from start to finish--everyone knew what to do and everyone hit their cues perfectly.

2. Shane sounded great. In his intro to "Dirty Old Town", he said something like, "a song that was written about you, Chicago". I thought it was a nice touch, and it was a sign of humility to introduce every song with "This one's called ...", even though we all knew what the song was as soon as they started.

3. At the end of the show, Shane threw his tin tray into the crowd. And then he gave a drink to someone in the audience. It seemed to me like he was asking for something back --presumably the tray--but the guy from the audience wouldn't give it to him. Then Shane waved him away in disgust. To be blunt, whoever that guy in the crowd was -- He's a total dick.

4. James Fearnley can play the accordion like nobody's business.

5. I head some shouts for "London Girl" (one of my favorites), but the band didn't oblige. I wonder--have they ever played London Girl in their live shows? I couldn't find any clips of it on YouTube.

[Billy]

Memories of 2008 Chicago

Jam didn't have Jameson and ran out of Guinness, bring back live nation please!

2007 had a magic quality to it (for me at least) this one didn't but the great part is that is was still so very special even more so that it didn't need to be magic to be special.

Never enough is said about the band. Thank Christ they are together. These guys are obviously gifted musicians but they are more then that, they are rare in their sound and their playing. Philip sounded really good on Thousands are Sailing, he seemed to be, I don't know something, seeing things with new eyes?

What really struck me is the whole group seemed to be really having a ball up there and goofing around, James on the accordion was really great and Spider on the tin whistle is so essential, I am a particular fan of the tin whistle. And Jem on the banjo, I always loved Tommy Makem's playing and Jerry Garcia started out a banjo player, really love that instrument. I wonder what Terry Woods is thinking these days.

The crowd seemed such a force of energy. I was really swept away by it, "like landing a 747 on your front lawn, nothing to it". The force of the crowds cheers; you would think we were in the United Center.

The songs are great, hard to believe how great. Must be an awesome thing to live up to; I have read a lot about Garcia / Hunter and, well, "it just don't come easy".

Shane seemed to be enjoying himself, I can't get the image out of my mind, him tipping his hat, taking a bow, he seemed grateful that we have 'never forgotten'.

700 years

"He who learns must suffer..."

The luck of the Irish is really about persistence.

Yeah, 2006 was magic, but everyday cannot be Christmas, this year was more about the future… if you dare!



The Pogues are not only the best at what they do, they are the only ones doing what they do.

[runjohnnyrun]

Thursday the 6th was third year in a row for me (Nokia '06, Congress last year), and as stellar as both those shows were - this one was beyond expectation. All aspects. An incredible show.

I went with my brother this year and we both agreed that Ike Reilly was fantastic. (Clash Cadillac - we're from Manitoba. Maybe it's a prairie thing). Great songs and a fun, energetic set. Terrific opener.

As for the Pogues, they were ON. Now, I have to say that there was a bit of a slow start and the first few songs seemed to be a bit tentative. That is, the songs were great, but between songs the band paused, discussed, and sorted out a few things. As somebody who's been a fan for over 20 years - I loved it. My heroes! They're human! But it didn't take long for them to figure out what they needed to figure out and the rest of the show was so, so amazing. It really was. I've probably been to a couple of thousand concerts in my 44 years, and I have to say that last Thursday was top 5 material.

It was a night full of high points, but I have to say that seeing Phillip up there was so right. "Thousands..." was magic.

Anyway, to the Pogues, once again - thank you. I'm looking forward to many more of these weekends. Keep 'em coming!

P.S. Is there a definitive set list from Thursday? I was keeping one, but lost it on the way out of the theatre.

[Clash Cadillac]

I went with my brother this year and we both agreed that Ike Reilly was fantastic. (Clash Cadillac - we're from Manitoba. Maybe it's a prairie thing). Great songs and a fun, energetic set. Terrific opener.

When I spoke with Ike Reilly in St. Paul last summer I told him about how I turned my brother onto 2 bands and each time, my brother really got into the music more than me. In each case, my brother's love of the band brought me back around to become a bigger fan of the band as well. The 2 bands? You guessed it. The Pogues and Ike Reilly. Maybe I planted a seed in Ike's brain which led to his support slot?

After the St. Paul gig Ike was heading down to Texas to record Austin City Limits. I have not seen the episode yet so keep your eye out for it if you "Like Ike".

[Jer]

We enjoyed both Chicago shows quite a bit, driving in from the Detroit/Ann Arbor area. Definately liked the Riv better than the Congress, personally, though my wife preferred the sound at the Congress. I also liked the location better as well. I thought Shane looked and sang better than I've ever seen him (over the last 12 years) and was happy about that and the return of Phil as well. Last night we watched the series finally of The Wire on HBO and once again they played Body Of An American and also Broad Majestic Shannon and it took me back to the Riv for a few moments. Can't wait till next year - Thanks guys!

- Jer

http://www.jerspoguespub.com

[Michael Howes]

I've read four or five posts about how the Shane looked and sang better this year, than in year's past. Yikes!!! He must have been dead and is now come back. The way he walked off stage, I was fingering my phone thinking about calling 911!!!

[Billy]

I've read four or five posts about how the Shane looked and sang better this year, than in year's past. Yikes!!! He must have been dead and is now come back. The way he walked off stage, I was fingering my phone thinking about calling 911!!!

This was your first concert correct?

[Grievous Angel]

I've read four or five posts about how the Shane looked and sang better this year, than in year's past. Yikes!!! He must have been dead and is now come back. The way he walked off stage, I was fingering my phone thinking about calling 911!!!

When I saw Shane years back with the Popes, he moved with all the speed of my 90-year-old grandmother, and that was with someone (Joey, I presume), pushing him in the right direction. There was no crowd banter, just one song straight into the next. So seeing Shane talking and actually walking under his own power at a decent clip... well, it's an improvement.

[BoyfromtheCountyHell]

Wow...I must say I'm shocked, and somewhat embarrased, that my blog was noticed here. It's not something I put out there for an audience larger then myself, friends and my family. I had no idea anyone beyond that circle would ever stumble upon it.

It was a great show...I had an absolutely wonderful time.

I wasn't as clear as I could have been talking about Shane's voice. When I say he wasn't a great singer, even back in the day, I mean he didn't have the polished, perfected voice that the general public might expect from a professional singer. *I* enjoy his voice, but I think it would be reasonable to say that it's something of an aquired taste. Again, my "audience" was my circle of friends and immediate family, who would likely hear his voice and be immediately turned off. I didn't feel a need to elaborate. Had I known my words would make their way here, I would have worded it differently.

Valid point about Spider Stacey...it was just my impression. Obviously wrong, but he just looked kind of sad up there, tapping his whistle against his leg for a pretty good portion of the concert. He's excellent at what he does, don't get me wrong. And his vocals are excellent. He just seemed kind of self-conscious, but I guess I interpreted incorrectly.

Not going to apologize for my opinion of Ike Reilly, though. Was not impressed, would have been happy to have missed it.

Sorry if my review offended anyone. Again, I'm not musically gifted, or trained, or a professional reviewer. I'm just a guy that went to a show and wanted to talk about it to his family.

[AUeagle]

What an adventure!

This was the 6th show for me since Vegas 2006 and I can honestly say that I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing you guys!

Anyways, took some vacation time and flew in from Cleveland. Was 15 minutes away from landing on Friday when the pilot announced we would be heading back to The Windy City. Something about weather..........................................

Finally made it back on Sunday after all flights on Saturday were cancelled. A couple of extra nights lodging wrecked the travel budget somewhat, but "you can't take it with you when your gone!" This entire situation was rather comical to my fellow employees who found it laughable that a 42 year old would follow a band around. When asked by my boss if it was worth it, the answer was a passionate (and rather loud) "HELL YES!"

Enjoyed both shows and almost cried when Dark Streets Of London got dusted off. A pleasant surprise indeed.

While I can't make any more shows this year, at least there is a handy dandy substitute with Cleveland's own BFTCH (remember them Spider?) doing like 20 gigs on Patty's Day.


Peace All,

HUTW

[Billy]

What an adventure!

Enjoyed both shows and almost cried when Dark Streets Of London got dusted off. A pleasant surprise indeed.

I only "discovered" DSL about a year ago and it really cuts me to the quick along with Kitty. There seems to be a "stream" (of whiskey, ha ha) that some can tap into, who knows why, how.

[Billy]

Valid point about Spider Stacey...it was just my impression. Obviously wrong, but he just looked kind of sad up there, tapping his whistle against his leg for a pretty good portion of the concert.

Not going to apologize for my opinion of Ike Reilly, though. Was not impressed, would have been happy to have missed it.

Life is certain sadness. When I was young I had an answer for that sadness, it was the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, four guys, one mike, a white lit stage, one table, three chairs, one bottle. I lost that at some point and then one day I heard some drunken sailor on a stage singing Dirty ole Town and I could not take it all in one sitting and on and on I go...

I agree about Reilly and not just my own view as I watched ALL the crowd very carefully and they kind of moved here and there but largely were uninspired as was the band, like bad sex, pumping and pumping away but nothing coming from it, no pun intended. Yet they were good players just to play so well. Only leaves me in awe of the true artist. Ever try to sing Kitty? It’s crazy, and then when you consider writing it too and then the music, just beyond the pale.

I am just a wanna be I guess, I mean who killed JFK really. What was it with the Irish Famine that was really a genocide??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i64Lx3SUlY&feature=related

On a single day...

[kenealy13]

I was at the March 6 show. (kenealy13, sorry I missed you after the show, we got split up, it was a great time though!)

It was my first Pogues show - here was my impression.

1. The Pogues showed up and played like absolute pros. Every song was done with energy and enthusiasm from start to finish--everyone knew what to do and everyone hit their cues perfectly.

2. Shane sounded great. In his intro to "Dirty Old Town", he said something like, "a song that was written about you, Chicago". I thought it was a nice touch, and it was a sign of humility to introduce every song with "This one's called ...", even though we all knew what the song was as soon as they started.

3. At the end of the show, Shane threw his tin tray into the crowd. And then he gave a drink to someone in the audience. It seemed to me like he was asking for something back --presumably the tray--but the guy from the audience wouldn't give it to him. Then Shane waved him away in disgust. To be blunt, whoever that guy in the crowd was -- He's a total dick.

4. James Fearnley can play the accordion like nobody's business.

5. I head some shouts for "London Girl" (one of my favorites), but the band didn't oblige. I wonder--have they ever played London Girl in their live shows? I couldn't find any clips of it on YouTube.

No worries!! We got caught up in the cattle drive to the door. Ended up at a bar down the street that served food. Thought we gave ourselves enough time to get back to Union Station, but it was much closer than we planned! We were about 4 or 5 seconds away from spending the night downtown.

Glad you enjoyed the show, we did as well!!!