RDS Dec 22

[bobbyjoe]

Lads if you want to play pick a decent venue.
Shite all round.
Sound, facilities etc.
Please have some respect for those who go to see you.
It is up to you guys to make sure it is up to standard otherwise stay at home don't waste our time and money.

[Newbie]

Quick note on tonights gig. Set list the same as all other gigs. With Cotton Field and Metrop ect..Shane started out a bit shaky as is customary it seems. Turkish was especially dodgy and all didn't bode well! But then the resurgence and a faultless enough performance by one and all until Fairytale..More of that later.. Bottle of smoke had the same verse sung twice if i recall. Spiders whistle seem to be out of tune for Repeal (I thought his whistle brand can't go out of tune? Maybe he had the wrong key). Apart from these minor glitches I would say it was a great gig. Highlights were the smoochers, Rainy, Kitty & Brown eyes. Sally was tight as was DOG.

The crowd was a predominantly young, very young and very drunk. I'm 35 and have been to more than a few Pogues/Popes gigs down the years. Christ I felt old1 Needless to say, the young uns were up for it.

Onto Fairytale...This one was royally fucked up and to be honest I think it may not have been Shanes fault! I'm sure it will turn up on you tube but I think that James may have gone into the chorus/refrain before time. Ella tried to rescue Shane and it all ended up a glorious mess. I felt a bit sorry for those who had come specifically for this song, and there were plenty of them. They paid over their 50 yo yo's too (about 47 quid sterling as it happens, why do we always get ripped off??) It seems that it's been messed up a few times this tour.

To finish the brass section played Happy Birthday to Shane before launching into a ferocious Fiesta. In summary I thought it was a better than average gig. I loved the brass section, I though Mr. Walbourne was rather good on the guitar, which seemed louder than I recall hearing at other gigs. James was rampant skidding across the stage and Spider translated perfectly. All in all I'd say 7/10

[Scottish Dubliner]

Lads if you want to play pick a decent venue.
Shite all round.
Sound, facilities etc.
Please have some respect for those who go to see you.
It is up to you guys to make sure it is up to standard otherwise stay at home don't waste our time and money.

So they should play a smaller venue in which case people miss out on tickets, I agree the RDS is not ideal, it's basically a warehouse but what are the other options...

Vicar Street - Great venue but too small
Olympia - See above
The Point - renamed and rebranded the O2 arena, it doesn't matter how much you dress it up a turd is still a turd
Academy, Ambassador, Village, Whelan's etc etc.

I had an absolute ball this evening, crowd could have been a little better informed (Celtic Jerseys and only knowing the words to FONY, some of them couldn't even get that right!!!)... small cheers for the brass section and miss Finer but massive cheers for Shane's birthday, The pogues are more than Shane these days, very tight musically the whole way through, even when Shane was messing up.

btw, I'm not saying that Shane is not an important part of the whole thing I just felt they were more than just him.

I have got to tick them off the list... eventually

[Scottish Dubliner]

Quick note on tonights gig. Set list the same as all other gigs. With Cotton Field and Metrop ect..Shane started out a bit shaky as is customary it seems. Turkish was especially dodgy and all didn't bode well! But then the resurgence and a faultless enough performance by one and all until Fairytale..More of that later.. Bottle of smoke had the same verse sung twice if i recall. Spiders whistle seem to be out of tune for Repeal (I thought his whistle brand can't go out of tune? Maybe he had the wrong key). Apart from these minor glitches I would say it was a great gig. Highlights were the smoochers, Rainy, Kitty & Brown eyes. Sally was tight as was DOG.

The crowd was a predominantly young, very young and very drunk. I'm 35 and have been to more than a few Pogues/Popes gigs down the years. Christ I felt old1 Needless to say, the young uns were up for it.

Onto Fairytale...This one was royally fucked up and to be honest I think it may not have been Shanes fault! I'm sure it will turn up on you tube but I think that James may have gone into the chorus/refrain before time. Ella tried to rescue Shane and it all ended up a glorious mess. I felt a bit sorry for those who had come specifically for this song, and there were plenty of them. They paid over their 50 yo yo's too (about 47 quid sterling as it happens, why do we always get ripped off??) It seems that it's been messed up a few times this tour.

To finish the brass section played Happy Birthday to Shane before launching into a ferocious Fiesta. In summary I thought it was a better than average gig. I loved the brass section, I though Mr. Walbourne was rather good on the guitar, which seemed louder than I recall hearing at other gigs. James was rampant skidding across the stage and Spider translated perfectly. All in all I'd say 7/10

I agree pretty much with all of the above.

Very young crowd, I was standing at the back and there was an exodus after FONY, It was my first Pogues Gig (I'm 35 and have wanted to see them since my Dad told me about the Barrowlands gig around '89)

Shane was terrible at times but I felt it's a part of the whole package now as he was also brilliant at times. The rest of the band are amazing musicians, very tight, very professional and thoroughly enjoyable.

[Fr. McGreer]

We arrived as the doors were opening due to the crazy way the security give out the wrist bands out for the segregated pit at the front. Everybody who arrives early is given a w/band to allow access to the front of the standing area whether they intend going to the front or not. At least a third of those have no intention of getting up the front for moshing, dancing or loosing their shoes. The result is a half empty front section with little or no atmosphere and all the lads and lassies who come over from the pubs at 8.30 and want to get up close and jig are left stranded at the back of the barn that is the RDS. THESE are the kids who are NEEDED at the front to create the legendary sweaty, bloody, heaving mass of flesh that you get at Belfast, Glasgow, Brum and Brixton. They WANT to fall from grace, bruise a couple of ribs and fall off their mates shoulders onto someone else who doesn't give fuck! Where are they???? Frustrated and jumping all over older couples who want to hear FONY and are happy to stand quietly at the back (As is their right).

GIVE THE PIT BANDS OUT AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE PIT. NOT THE FRONT DOOR.

Now, rant over. Scratchy was in good form and reminded us all that tonight is the 6th anniversary of Joe Strummer's passing.

The Urban Voodoo Machine were fantastic opening the show and won over the pricks who chanted "SHANE-O" in between songs at the start of their set. Their album is class, i picked it up the Belfast gig.

Soon it was 9.10pm, the lights went down and Joe went Straight To Hell....

Streams of Whiskey were flowing, Shane was late coming in but caught up before they ran dry. As usual Paul Scully had the sound bang on. The set was standard as previous nights. No County Hell and Poor Paddy replaced Andrew's Star of County Down (i think that Star was only sang in Belfast, makes sense).

You'd know Shane was just off par and he fumbled through IISFFGWG. The band keep it so well together for him. They realised he needed nursing through the first 4 or 5 songs. Spider, James W and Darryl really sang those songs. When Shane is just one or two over his limit he just can't process the information quick enough and misses cues and mixes up verses. But to be honest only the die hards would notice.

Repeal sound fine to me. A previous post said it was off key, i dunno. But having said that, there was a lot of piss taking of Spider from Terry on the next couple of songs. They were all really having the craic on stage.Cotton Fields was brilliant as was Metropolis (my favorite of the night and i will post it on YouTube with others). The Brass section are Awesome. Tuesday Morning was sung with love for Louise (Spider you ou'ld romantic)

Shane came back into his own on Kitty, Brown Eyes and especially Soho. Do these mean more to him now? Or is just he can keep up and deliver faultless performances?

Irish Rover was brilliant, James watching Shane intently and the rest of the band getting their cues from his exagerated accordian movements, Shane mixing up verses for fun but it did not matter. They still sailed 7 years, the dog drowned and the crowd were happy.

Yes, Fairytale was fucked up at the very last refrain of "And the boy's of the NYPD......" But it was not Shane or James, i think Ella came in too early and again Spider, James and Darryl got the whole lot back together.

Spider thanked everyone, happy birthday was played to Shane and finally, Fiesta..... Brass, Beer trays, Whistles and more Brass......pure class!!! And Shane kept up All this last sentence will be up on YouTube tomorrow.

Apart from the rant about the venue and organisation we had a great night.

[john k]

newbies report on last nights show is spot on. i thought shane got better as the evening wore on and messed up here and there but overall was fairly coherent and witty ( anyone catch the love you long time quip at the end of sayonara). like i've said here before the band are tight as a ducks and tuesday morning is a power pop classic. long may they go on

[john k]

plus urban voodoo machine had the coolest t shirts @ 12 euro. pity about the jackasses shouting shane o during their great set. and scratchy warmed us up with the clash, dubliners, the things and the mighty stef.

[Fr. McGreer]

Lads if you want to play pick a decent venue.
Shite all round.
Sound, facilities etc.
Please have some respect for those who go to see you.
It is up to you guys to make sure it is up to standard otherwise stay at home don't waste our time and money.

Yes, shite venue and organisation but sound was NOT poor. Where were you standing?

So they should play a smaller venue in which case people miss out on tickets, I agree the RDS is not ideal, it's basically a warehouse but what are the other options...

Vicar Street - Great venue but too small
Olympia - See above
The Point - renamed and rebranded the O2 arena, it doesn't matter how much you dress it up a turd is still a turd
Academy, Ambassador, Village, Whelan's etc etc.

O2 Arena is now totally rebuilt, state of the art venue with standing at the front and semi-circle tiered seating behind. A magnificent venue, but now too big for The Pogues (about 13k capacity).

My earlier post has been lost amongst the merging of two threads and is now out of context Here's some thoughts on venue.......

We arrived as the doors were opening due to the crazy way the security give out the wrist bands out for the segregated pit at the front. Everybody who arrives early is given a w/band to allow access to the front of the standing area whether they intend going to the front or not. At least a third of those have no intention of getting up the front for moshing, dancing or loosing their shoes. The result is a half empty front section with little or no atmosphere and all the lads and lassies who come over from the pubs at 8.30 and want to get up close and jig are left stranded at the back of the barn that is the RDS. THESE are the kids who are NEEDED at the front to create the legendary sweaty, bloody, heaving mass of flesh that you get at Belfast, Glasgow, Brum and Brixton. They WANT to fall from grace, bruise a couple of ribs and fall off their mates shoulders onto someone else who doesn't give fuck! Where are they???? Frustrated and jumping all over older couples who want to hear FONY and are happy to stand quietly at the back (As is their right).

GIVE THE PIT BANDS OUT AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE PIT. NOT THE FRONT DOOR.

If you want a gig review read the rest of the earlier post.

[Niall]

Lads if you want to play pick a decent venue.
Shite all round.
Sound, facilities etc.
Please have some respect for those who go to see you.
It is up to you guys to make sure it is up to standard otherwise stay at home don't waste our time and money.

So they should play a smaller venue in which case people miss out on tickets, I agree the RDS is not ideal, it's basically a warehouse but what are the other options...

Vicar Street - Great venue but too small
Olympia - See above
The Point - renamed and rebranded the O2 arena, it doesn't matter how much you dress it up a turd is still a turd
Academy, Ambassador, Village, Whelan's etc etc.

I had an absolute ball this evening, crowd could have been a little better informed (Celtic Jerseys and only knowing the words to FONY, some of them couldn't even get that right!!!)... small cheers for the brass section and miss Finer but massive cheers for Shane's birthday, The pogues are more than Shane these days, very tight musically the whole way through, even when Shane was messing up.

btw, I'm not saying that Shane is not an important part of the whole thing I just felt they were more than just him.

I have got to tick them off the list... eventually

the pogues have always been more than shane, not just these days. Also, if you look at videos of pogues shows from the 80s, you will see there have always been celtic jerseys in the audience. As for the people who know the words to only FONY, well, theres lots of them these days

[moose]

[ As for the people who know the words to only FONY, well, theres lots of them these days

Ronan Keating

[Niall]

[ As for the people who know the words to only FONY, well, theres lots of them these days

Ronan Keating

[Scottish Dubliner]

Lads if you want to play pick a decent venue.
Shite all round.
Sound, facilities etc.
Please have some respect for those who go to see you.
It is up to you guys to make sure it is up to standard otherwise stay at home don't waste our time and money.

So they should play a smaller venue in which case people miss out on tickets, I agree the RDS is not ideal, it's basically a warehouse but what are the other options...

Vicar Street - Great venue but too small
Olympia - See above
The Point - renamed and rebranded the O2 arena, it doesn't matter how much you dress it up a turd is still a turd
Academy, Ambassador, Village, Whelan's etc etc.

I had an absolute ball this evening, crowd could have been a little better informed (Celtic Jerseys and only knowing the words to FONY, some of them couldn't even get that right!!!)... small cheers for the brass section and miss Finer but massive cheers for Shane's birthday, The pogues are more than Shane these days, very tight musically the whole way through, even when Shane was messing up.

btw, I'm not saying that Shane is not an important part of the whole thing I just felt they were more than just him.

I have got to tick them off the list... eventually

the pogues have always been more than shane, not just these days. Also, if you look at videos of pogues shows from the 80s, you will see there have always been celtic jerseys in the audience. As for the people who know the words to only FONY, well, theres lots of them these days

On the Pogues/Shane front, I found that last night there were a lot of people only there to see him, I felt a lot of the crowd boardered on disrespect to the rest of the band (and the support), espec. The Brass section and Ella Finer. it's just an observation not a criticism on my part.

I quite agree but It's a shame that the little bigots/skangers manage to spoil a great night's music. Celtic jerseys these days are the uniform of the scumbag. unfortunately these little feckers spoil it for the rest of the decent, honourable supporters.

There was an exodus of people at the end of Fairytale, which is a pity because they missed the Happy birthday part and for me one of the highlights of the night "Fiesta", my gf didn't know a lot of their stuff(that may change after last night, tickets were a Xmas present to me) and when they started playing the trays with their heads the look on her face was priceless!!!

[Niall]

I quite agree but It's a shame that the little bigots/skangers manage to spoil a great night's music. Celtic jerseys these days are the uniform of the scumbag. !

i take exception to this. Celtic jerseys are the uniform of the scumbag???? ridiculous and extremely insulting

[DzM]

I quite agree but It's a shame that the little bigots/skangers manage to spoil a great night's music. Celtic jerseys these days are the uniform of the scumbag. !

i take exception to this. Celtic jerseys are the uniform of the scumbag???? ridiculous and extremely insulting

Will scumbags ever recover from the insult? Only time will tell...

[chatterbox]

Spiders whistle seem to be out of tune for Repeal (I thought his whistle brand can't go out of tune? Maybe he had the wrong key).

The chap has been playing for over 20 years, give him a bit of f*cking credit for Jaysus sake.