Who's seen the Pogues back in the day?

[Guest]

First saw them on September 11th 1985 at Glasow Barrowlands, the night after Jock Stein died. A very emotional evening, especially when Cait dedicated 'A Man You Don't Meet Everyday' to the 'big man'.

Jim

[eam]

ahhh....you have jogged my memory. First glimpse of the Pogues WAS supporting U2 all those years ago. None of us had tickets, but we all managed to get in freeman's via one of those glass doors between the "twin towers" that had been left unlocked. God knows how many got in, but as we got on to the pitch, Shane and the boys were on stage giving it some!

That was it for me........Better than U2! First reply from me. Been on the site for a while now. Some good stuff.....Looking forward to Dec.....Got my tickets today. Nice one. Cheers!

[keith]

thats what got me into the pogues also seeing them support U2 at wembley stadium in 87'. i remember the crowd went absolutely wild when they kicked off with 'irish rover'. never looked back and they are better live then U2 maybe not as popular tho!

[DaveG M/cr]

Got to agree, seeing The Pogues support U2, think it was Elland Road on The Joshua Tree tour, think Lone Justice also played that day, I even missed my French O Level to see the gig! After that I was hooked, used to see them in Manchester whenever they came. Would love to see Whiskey In The Jar, Whiskey You're The Devil and Lorelei this Christmas please guys!

[fermenter]

to be honest can hardly remember any pogues gigs ,prob seen em in bristol or exeter in the 80`s,mostly london after that.
most memorable one was cornwall collesium great night and at that time they had the longest bar in britain there too

[Heather]

I remember back in 1989 I was at the Royal Court in Liverpool waiting for the band to come on and some old fella all of about 90 wandered past me with a walking stick.

[soulfinger]

May '86 Sloskys Manchester - Riotous!

Wow! - That sounds like it would have been a good one....I think I've seen the gig sheet on Ebay for that show....and I think that a recording does exist....

Only wish that I wasn't four years old at the time, or else I would have been over the pond for some of those early shows.

I was, in fact, only four years of age myself at the time of course; developmentally if not chronologically.........................

[Guest]

First ever Pogues gig was in Finsbury Park - fantastic. From then on I saw
them every year when they took up residency at the Town and Country club around St Patricks week, there or the Brixton Acedemy - ah happy days.

What is remarkable is the re union shows are just as good as the ones back then. Only trouble is now I can't last more than two songs down at the front before I admit defeat and go and stand somewhere a bit quieter and nearer the bar. Looking forward to the show in Manchester - last years was top drawer

[usualdog]

First saw the Pogues supporting Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Couldn't believe it. Followed them all over the country ever since. Leicester City and The Pogues from the cradle to the grave.

[MJ]

First gig was around 1984 at Hammersmith Palais. Pogues supported by an (at the time) quite well know rockabilly group called Restless, whose fans rivalled Pogues fans in the mental stakes, in spite of sporting a fine range of denim dungarees!

Memorable gigs after that include Camden Electric Ballroom, my mate came out minus a shoe. Think that was the first time Joe Strummer joined them, singing 'I fought the law' and 'London Calling'.

Glasgow Barrowlands - first Sunday of all-day drinking in Scotland, Celtic beat Rangers 2-0, wild in the Saracens Head, Pogues magnificent, really in full flow. Think Frankie Miller joined them to sing 'Darling'? Also SECC, another time in Glasgow, got chucked out for pissing on the floor, but got back in to see a cover version of 'Darklands' by Jesus and Mary Chain as I recall. Travelled to Glasgow 4 times over the years to see The Pogues, they all rate amongst the best gigs. Kipped at the airport then got a train back the next day!

Another one was YIVA anti-apartheid gig at Birmingham NEC, with people like Ruby Turner and King (remember them?). So drunk all day, blagged our way to the front block, then one of my mates chucked out for trying to get on the stage! I could hardly see the stage!

Finally, Pogues supported UB40 at St Andrews, Birmingham. UB40 fans sat down politely in front on the stage, awaiting their Black Country idols. Pogues fans chomping impatiently at the bit having endured some bhangra band and Robert Palmer. When the Pogues took the stage, fans rushed forward as per normal - not quite what the picnicking Brummies were expecting, many of whom were sadly trampled underfoot! Think the papers reported it as some sort of mini-riot! Pass me a scotch egg!

Good times indeed. Here's to next Thursday at Brixton, and 17th March 06' in NYC. Must be love, that's 2 of us from the original 1984 gig who will be going to New York.....

[padders]

a Flann O'Brien quote.

from The Brother stories available in the Best Of Myles

Amazon

it's essential reading so get it! cm

The Third Policeman is the funniest , most imaginative book ever - have i steered ye wrong thus far ?

[RICHB]

First time I went to see the Pogues was in March 88 in The Royal Court in Liverpool. My mate had got me into fairytale which I just thought was a one off good record. Basically I was punk (of sorts) with my head up my arse to what decent music was, wearing pointed boots, padlock and chain, studed belt etc etc and listening to either decent 70's music by bands that had well disapeared (Clash, Sex Pistols) or shit 80's punk bands (I was a confused 17 year old). I loved fairytale but thought why do I want to go and see some folk band (thats how I thought at the time), but hey ho my mate dragged me along. Five seconds after being in there my whole life changed in one note, I mean I never knew what a fuckin ballad was, how was I meant to know. It was the tour to go along with Grace with God and I became obsessed from that moment on. I remember going to see them in Machester what seems a few months later and then several times after that in either Liverpool or Manchester. I seem to recall a gig where Shane did a no show and everyone was gutted but it was fantastic the way everyone did their own bit and it actually made a really good gig. I remember seing Joe Strummer stand in but my memory is really hazey about that cause I went to see him on his own doing his Class War stuff and he did a few pogues numbers there as well. The last couple of times I went was the new line up and I think they did the Royal Court once supported by a great band called Pele (now called Amstedam) but it wasnt the same. Then my life became empty. Hoorah then came Manc 2002 and I was reborn. All I can say is thanks for giving me the best music ever and thanks for giving it another go. Some people in this forum who are younger are only getting the chance to see you for the first time, Im lucky enough to have had two chances. Ps I remember walking into a pub called the penny farthing in Liverpool about an hour before the gig (I think, my mind is a bit hazey) and the whole band where just sat there having a drink chatting away? Meanwhile a lot of local bands are sat in their dressing rooms cut off from the people listening, i rambling now, I'll go.

[kexiled]

My father saw them in cork in 88 or 89 (maybe 90?), something of which I am eternally jealous. To be fair though, if you grow up in a house with pogues records I think you have alot to be grateful for. I live in london now so Ill be going to the first brixton gig before flying home on wednesday morning. Im then taking him to the dublin gig on the 23rd, as a thank you.

K

[Tosspint]

saw the Pogues several time in the 80's have great fond memories of the Limerick Rake seeing James throwing himself round the stage with his accordian thinking he's going to end up in the crowd and Shane nearly falling over during the Birmingham 6 song(he did a kicking action to the line
"kicked in the Head" but slipped)

[Chained Bear]

I'm old enough to have seen the Pogues back in the day, and I did love them then, but never got the chance to see them live. So it's great to read all these stories--thanks all.

Also, I just want to say--Holy Mother of God, seeing the Pogues and the Femmes, or the Pogues and U2, at the same show.... I'd've thought I died and went to heaven.