-Reviews: The Pogues, O2 Academy, Glasgow

[Zuzana]

The Pogues, o2 Academy, Glasgow

Nicola Meighan
15 Dec 2010
Herald Scotland

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Star rating: ***

When The Pogues announced that this eighth consecutive Christmas tour was to be their last, it prompted assorted charges of cashing-in, marketing spin and inter-band bickering.

Perhaps in a bid to refute all this, their proficient and rowdy Glasgow set of rarities and time-honoured favourites seemed wilfully long and over-eager to represent good value.

It was drawn-out to almost two hours, thanks to some unwarranted instrumentals and encores not wholeheartedly called-for: despite no great stampede, the Celtic punk legends counted on a second curtain-call to deliver the inevitable – if ever-wonderful – Fairytale of New York.

Shane MacGowan’s upright appearance contrasted with recent reports from a Dublin show (during which he reputedly fell about and had to perform propped up on a box) but there were several breaks in the gig – hence the musical interludes – while the ravaged frontman left the stage “to comply with the licensing laws”. If MacGowan’s endurance was uncertain his voice was reassuringly present: his tattered, glorious croon was especially affecting on And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda – a highlight from their infamous 1985 album, Rum, Sodomy and The Lash, and an unexpected, compelling inclusion in their live set.

There were also triumphant, teary sing-a-longs for A Pair of Brown Eyes and Dirty Old Town, during which you could barely hear the singer’s ragged carolling above the crowd.

MacGowan is one of rock’s great icons, but like fellow Stiff Records alumni The Blockheads, The Pogues are also a rock-solid backing band. They always support Shane; never out-shine him. Behind the singer, a back-lit constellation served to remind that The Pogues contains many stars.

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[firehazard]

... some unwarranted instrumentals ...

Pogues instrumentals are always warranted.

[RICHB]

Tuesday morning and certainly Thousands are Sailing shine just as bright as anything Shane brings to the table

[kmurray105]

willfully long? drawn out to almost 2 hours? what nonsense. If have never in my life been to a concert of my choosing where I felt the band was on too long. I'd strongly prefer 3 hours plus.

[Pindar of Wakefield]

willfully long? drawn out to almost 2 hours? what nonsense. If have never in my life been to a concert of my choosing where I felt the band was on too long. I'd strongly prefer 3 hours plus.

agree 100%

[Zuzana]

One more review of Glasgow:

Gig review: The Pogues

16 December 2010
Malcolm Jack
The Scotsman

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THE POGUES O2 ACADEMY, GLASGOW ***

CHRISTMAS comes but once a year, and so do The Pogues. The 2010 instalment of their annual festive tour has been billed as the veteran London-Irish punk folk rabble rousers' last hurrah, though most likely it's all a marketing ploy. Shane McGowan has appeared on the brink of checking out permanently for years, yet he always seems to drag himself out of the gutter. Certainly there was no emotional farewell, even if this show did suggest last orders are long overdue.

McGowan was his usual paunchy, slightly confused-looking self, a cigarette frequently clasped in his fist for dear life. His chat in a low, gummy slurp was literally unintelligible – what came out as "goo shinning" may have been a compliment on the crowd's backing vocals during Dirty Old Town, but he could just as likely have been clearing his throat.

Mostly this was The Pogues on autopilot: wild reels (Sally MacLennane) and maudlin, swaying ballads (A Rainy Night in Soho); Irish Rover went off like a rocket; Spider Stacy battered himself over the head with a tray during Fiesta; and so on.

The young vocalist drafted in for Fairytale of New York looked terrified as McGowan – who had seemed to mumble "I only met this girl on Friday" – clasped her in an uncomfortable waltz, after they'd both been drowned out by the merry, full-throated roar of the crowd. When 2,500 thunderously drunk Glaswegians know your songs better than you do, then it probably is time to stop.

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©2010 Johnston Press Digital Publishing

[mats]

The young vocalist drafted in for Fairytale of New York looked terrified as McGowan – who had seemed to mumble "I only met this girl on Friday" –

I love it when journalists do background checks
This is just Shanes sense of humour, just like when he introduced Streams Of Whiskey as "here´s a brand new one"