Pogues Denver Show ('09?)

[FulfilledDeer]

So this is my first post here! I've lurked for quite a bit now, but haven't been compelled to register until now. So hi!

Anyway, I just grabbed a couple of tickets to a concert at the venue that I first (and likely last) saw the Pogues at in Denver (The Ogden if you're from around here) and my mind sort of wandered back to that show, which I think was December of 2009. I always remember that as the best show I've seen to date by any band. Obviously loving the music was part of how I received the show (as opposed to going to see a band you only kind of like), but I was trying to figure out what made that show/band, which at least for my situation is the same thing, stand out from everything else I've seen.

I liked the venue, loved the setlist which caused a couple of songs to be bumped up to my "A" list of Pogues songs, and enjoyed the rest of the crowd, but I think what did it for me was the absolute lack of ego onstage. Well, I should hedge that a bit lest a band member call me out on the actual politics of that night/tour: what did it for me was the perceived absolute lack of ego on the stage.

Take the most obvious example: Shane. He came out when it was time to do his thing, and when he was done, he left the stage. With a lot of bands I think that could look petulant or diva-y, but it did not look like it was anything but simple rationality - what use did he have onstage if he was not singing? When he came out, he was on. And then he left. And there didn't seem to be any hard feelings. But that seemed to be the whole show.

My favorite memory was during some song I can't recall, there was an instrumental break and Shane and Spider (I think) walked over to the drum kit to use some mallets on the cymbals. I don't know if that was planned or not, but I've know enough drummers to be suitably afraid for their lives when they did that. But there was no bloodshed. In fact, the three figures by the kit seemed to be having their own mini jam session there. That was not the only time instruments were switched that evening, and each time it had nothing to do with ego.

I think that epitomizes what I loved about the show: either everyone was in it for the music and what needed to be done for that, or concurrently, and to the same end, they were there to enjoy themselves. Fantastic to watch.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my thoughts.

[Fr. McGreer]

Hi and welcome aboard!

The first time i saw them (March '88 T&C Club, London) i thought the same. No bulshit, just get the job done. The instrumental you described was probably at the end of Body of an American.

[cagliostro]

I was at that show right up front and slowly getting shoved off to the side of the stage throughout the show by cunts with camera phones. It was a good show, however, and check the initial discussion of this show for a bit of a surprise.

[Fr. McGreer]

I was at that show right up front and slowly getting shoved off to the side of the stage throughout the show by cunts with camera phones. It was a good show, however, and check the initial discussion of this show for a bit of a surprise.

Shit cagliostro!!! thanks for the heads up on the link Downloaded and listening now

I must have not read this thread first time around.

[Fr. McGreer]

Sorry lads but i have post again to tell anyone who's reading this.

YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THIS LINK! If you have not heard this recording you are missing something special. No studio mixing, editing or enhancements of any kind and it sounds awsome. It's a credit to the lads' musicianship and the sound engineer. Shane's vocal is faultless.

[FulfilledDeer]

Yep, you're right, that is fantastic. SO glad I downloaded it. I think this'll be playing in my car on the way to work for a while now. Great memories.

Speaking of, I'm surprised to hear you say you were being shoved around a bit. I was the the railing of the first tier (so right above ground floor as it were), and not only was I in total peace with my new compatriots there, but I didn't really see much of that happening. I was actually so surprised at how civil everybody seemed to be to each other.

Contrast that to the Fillmore, where I had seen a band a couple of months earlier....that place was nuts. Granted, I think the theater is beautiful looking, but if you want to be close enough to actually see the band you better be ready for a fight.