Birmingham 18/12/2010

[Toby]

Just got home - loads of snow in Birmingham and -8!

Fantastic show!! Venue bouncing and very lively despite the earlier start

Great fun and a superb show.

1000's was particularlly poigient as Mr C gave a very moving and heartfelt dedication to Kirsty who's tragic death was 10 yrs ago today - you clearly meant every word Mr C and did well to compose yourself!

Merry Christmas everyone

Toby

[RoddyRuddy]

I will alaways hate this show as it was one I had a ticket for but never went to.

[moose]

WOW What a show!

[FrankyH]

Been to all of the Birmingham shows since they refomed(enjoyed them all).When Shane didn't come out with the rest of the boys at the start and Spider nearly started Repeal,I didn't think it would be a good night.Great gig, absolutely brilliant !!

[Broke my fecking shin]

It was a classic indeed. And if it really does turn out to be the last time then I will cherish the memory alongside the Brunel University gig in '84, Picnic in the Park and Brixton with Kirsty etc. Thanks for everything guys x

[JMW]

It sounds like I missed a great gig. We got within 20 miles of being there only to find the motorway shut. Spent hours and hours trying to get in on alternative routes to no avail. I can only live in hope that they will do another christmas tour. Anyway happy christmas to you all and safe travels to the band and fans going to Brixton.

[moose]

So many highlights to list for me last night, Shane was in fine form, Waltzing was superb, Phil's tribute to Kirsty, A fantastic rendition of Happy Birthday, which i believe was to Louise? Spiders wife. 1000's was awesome, as was Poor paddy and so much more.......But Phil's dancing shoes this time around even surpassed the red ones of last year
Guys, i wish you all a very merry xmas and a prosperous New Year, Thank you all very very much.

[Heather]

We were very lucky, our train went out on time and arrived in Birmingham five minutes late due to waiting for the signal to change at Wolverhampton station. Coming back we got the train before the one we were supposed to be on and therefore are home one hour earlier. My friend Mark WAFC wasn't so lucky, I got a text message from him just as I was about to leave home to say that he could not get out of Wigan. I must admit I did miss his company.

The O2 was smaller than what I expected it to be. Somehow I managed to get my usual front row spec, I was on the second row towards the side of the moshpit for the first few songs, then I was pushed forward slightly and had to grab hold of the barrier to steady myself. A couple of songs later the guy next to me my left moved slighly aside and I got in. He looked a bit miffed so I said 'I'm sorry, you don't mind do you?'. To which he relied 'No, not at all.'

The gig started over half an hour late, but it was well worth the wait. The sound was great, so great I could hear all the different harmonies between the instruments. Philip seemed to be the old Philip of old, spinning round several times, which was great to see. Shane was on great form and seemed to interact with the audience a lot better than usual. By far the nicest point of the whole gig was that Philip dedicated FONY to Kirsty (because it was 10 years ago to the day she was tragically killed). Somehow he managed to hold it together, even though you could tell he was getting quite emotional. The only spoiler for me was Spider smashing a guitar to bits right at the end, I know Spider is Spider, but what the hell was that all about?

When the gig was over, I was left with very stiff legs through all the standing and my bad left knee started to kick off again, but I was very very happy. If this is the last Pogues gig I'm ever going to see in my life, this is how I want to remember them.

[moose]

The O2 was smaller than what I expected it to be. Somehow I managed to get my usual front row spec, I was on the second row towards the side of the moshpit for the first few songs, then I was pushed forward slightly and had to grab hold of the barrier to steady myself. A couple of songs later the guy next to me my left moved slighly aside and I got in. He looked a bit miffed so I said 'I'm sorry, you don't mind do you?'. To which he relied 'No, not at all.'

Hi Heather, i was at the front also, directly in front of Philip, i nearly got decapitated when Shane threw his tray out, i ducked, put my hand up, and deflected the damn thing behind me, never to be seen again

[moose]

The only spoiler for me was Spider smashing a guitar to bits right at the end, I know Spider is Spider, but what the hell was that all about?

I would'nt say it was a spoiler but it was certainly unexpected

[philipchevron]

The only spoiler for me was Spider smashing a guitar to bits right at the end, I know Spider is Spider, but what the hell was that all about?

I would'nt say it was a spoiler but it was certainly unexpected

In fairness, Spider has been doing his feedback "guitar solo" for some years now in "Fiesta". There's so much going on now during that number that people could be forgiven for not catching all the details.

It was "1000s" we played for Kirsty, by the way, not "FoNY"

[Heather]

The only spoiler for me was Spider smashing a guitar to bits right at the end, I know Spider is Spider, but what the hell was that all about?

I would'nt say it was a spoiler but it was certainly unexpected

In fairness, Spider has been doing his feedback "guitar solo" for some years now in "Fiesta". There's so much going on now during that number that people could be forgiven for not catching all the details.

It was "1000s" we played for Kirsty, by the way, not "FoNY"

Sorry, you're quite right, it was 1000's.

I'm a bit tired, the bed in the hotel was hard as nails and I did not get much sleep, plus somebody not to distant from me kept rolling over into me even though it was a kingsize bed (well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it).

[rumsodomyandthelash]

Another brilliant Pogues gig in Birmingham, a big thank you to everyone who made it happen, I was really concerned the weather would ruin the night but it all went off fantastically , although I too was a bit worried at the start when the band appeared minus Shane.
I thought Shane was in fine form and seemed to enjoy himself more and more as the set went on
Mr C bang on as always, 1000s was superb again.
I really feel for all those with tickets who couldn't make it, i know how much it means, hopefully we will all get the opportunity to see the band again sometime.........

[old barney greyheron]

Boo!! I'm envious! But commiserations to all those who couldn't get there cos of the weather...what a bastard!

[DownInTheGround]

are you saying that Spider ended up Townshending his feedback guitar?