ATLANTA - March 9, 2009

[Grievous Angel]

As my girlfriend (well, fiancee now... Operation Rainy Night worked without a hitch) said as we were leaving, "Man, if you don't like the Pogues, you just don't like music." It was a fantastic show, and I think the band sounded even better than they did last year. Shane was in great form, though I was disappointed that he never emerged from his tent in a Superman costume. But with the elephants, hookers and oxygen tanks, I guess there was no room for a costume change. I'd love to know what he was drinking, as it's apparently giving him superhuman powers. At the tail end of "Fiesta," Spider tossed his banged up tray into the crowd, about 15 feet in front of us. Shane then flings his tray frisbee-style, and the tray sails across the entire length of the floor, banging off the bottom of the balcony and falling to the back of the crowd. If beer-tray flinging was an Olympic sport, Shane's a gold-medal contender.

The crowd was pretty decent, save for a trip of drunken college students who insisted on throwing their arms around each others' shoulders and swaying kind-of in time with the music. There was one incident where this giant, bald and incredibly drunk biker dude attempted to pick a fight with everyone in front of him, but the even-more-giant security detail led him out the door before the show even got underway.

We took a position right in the middle of the crowd, so I could see the entire band (last year, Jem was blocked from my view, which was the sole disappointment). Thanks to the sound system, I couldn't make out much of what people were saying, but I believe Spider referred to Jem as "The Iridescent One" with his shiny suit. It looked like the guys were having a lot of fun on stage, so I'm hoping it won't be another 20 years before they make a return trip to town.

[prplmnkydw]

So the Atlanta show was very good, though Shane had to take a break every four or so songs. Overall very tight. Is the accordion/keyboard player still James Feanerly? He looked much younger than Spider or Phil or Shane.

[firehazard]

As my girlfriend (well, fiancee now... Operation Rainy Night worked without a hitch) ...

Congratulations to the both of you!
I'm sure that song has mystical powers.

[Chad]

I was at this show, I'm 25, third time seeing them. this show was far and away the best. energetic, crowd loved every minute. I cried actual tears during lullaby of london. best show ever. thanks guys, you gave me something to remember.

[Chad]

it was as great as ever. hope you guys are on the east coast again next year.

[philipchevron]

As my girlfriend (well, fiancee now... Operation Rainy Night worked without a hitch) said as we were leaving, "Man, if you don't like the Pogues, you just don't like music." .

Yes, congratulations on getting betrothed to a gal of such consummate taste.

[duasol]

I've been reading this board for years and thought now be be as good a time to join as any.

The Tabernacle show was an amazing musical experience I'll hold dear in my heart for many years to come.

Thank you, Phillip and crew. You guys made my year.

[Fr. McGreer]

I've been reading this board for years and thought now be be as good a time to join as any.

The Tabernacle show was an amazing musical experience I'll hold dear in my heart for many years to come.

Thank you, Phillip and crew. You guys made my year.

Welcome aboard. You'll have to get to more shows to feed the addiction which is now coarsing through your viens.

[Cdn Steve]

Just found this review from Atlanta - finally - a review that comes close.....

"Judging from the near-riot going on around me, and the sounds pumping with abandon from the speakers, there’s no way the band has lost a step. Ever since being shot out of the cannon of that first song, they’ve been running on kinetic energy. "
http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/ctrl-v/2009/03/the-pogues---the-tabernacle---392009-beer-brawls-a.html

[deb3802]

This is my first post and I went to Atlanta for my first and certainly not my last Pogues concert. We drove 1200 hundred miles from Northern Michigan because we didnt know when we might get a chance to see the Pogues again, The concert was amazing, worth every mile that we drove.

[Fr. McGreer]

This is my first post and I went to Atlanta for my first and certainly not my last Pogues concert. We drove 1200 hundred miles from Northern Michigan because we didnt know when we might get a chance to see the Pogues again, The concert was amazing, worth every mile that we drove.

"And i would drive 12 hundred miles and i would drive 12 hundred more,
Just to be see the band who rocked the night,
and left me spralled across the venue's floor"

[Mike from Boston]

Just found this review from Atlanta - finally - a review that comes close.....

"Judging from the near-riot going on around me, and the sounds pumping with abandon from the speakers, there’s no way the band has lost a step. Ever since being shot out of the cannon of that first song, they’ve been running on kinetic energy. "
http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/ctrl-v/2009/03/the-pogues---the-tabernacle---392009-beer-brawls-a.html

Can't help to enjoy a story that includes the Pogues AND Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka!!