Shane MacGowan and The Pogues in SoCal next week! Who's going?

[Moirai]

I am!!! October 17 at The Grove. Dirty Pretty Things is the opening band, I haven't heard much of them yet.

I really hope that Shane doesn't die between now and next week... ;)

:cool:

[Johnny L.A.]

Oh man, that's tempting! I've seen them at The Coach House two or three times.

So... Shane's back with the band?

[Mame]

Shane's ALIVE?

[Moirai]

Hee hee hee... yep on both counts.

Johnny, I would have killed to see them at the Coach House!

Yep, the Popes have been retired and Shane is back with the boys (I don't know who'll be singing Kirsty's song but I'm sure I'll hate her...). They are doing a couple of shows up in SF at the Fillmore, then coming down for one show at the Grove and two or three at the Wiltern. We just didn't want to drive up to the Wiltern, park, etc... too much hassle.

Apparently, they are removing every stick of furniture from the place, except for the stage and the bar! Whee!

This is hilarious- I am 39 years old, sober for 15 years, a mother of two, and I'm hitting a show after all this time! :cool:

[Cluricaun]

Why just on the West Coast? Damn you Pogues!

[Annie]

In Vegas this weekend.......damn you job interview Tuesday!!!!!


Old enough to be concerned about such things, fuck.

[guppy]

My brother saw them this year in New York on St Paddy's day and said it was great. I think you have to be a fan already to appreciate it because he's(Shane) in pretty rough shape. I wonder how long he will last; I have a feeling it will be a lot longer than should be expected.

[Moirai]

Why just on the West Coast? Damn you Pogues!

I was surprised, too, given Shane's extreme dislike (fear) of air travel. I would have thought more dates would be in order, unless he's just not up to it.

I can't wait. We're taking my young brother-in-law, whose experience with Shane is nil. It should be fun.

[astro]

Shane's ALIVE?

Exactly my reaction.

[Johnny L.A.]

I don't know who'll be singing Kirsty's song but I'm sure I'll hate her...
She's still dead, then?

[Moirai]

I can't believe I'm the only one going... Come on, you wimps!

:D

[NAF1138]

I have been wanting to go to a Pogues concert with Shane singing for years. I found out about the so cal shows back in august and started trying to get tickets. Everywhere I turned they were sold out.

Then, miracle of miracles, I found someone who was willing to give me their tickets for the Wiltern show in Hollywood...for FREE. I was so thrilled I literally did a little dance on the spot.

Then I found out that I can't go because I have to work the night of the free tickets. :( I will be stage managing a comedy, it is opening weekend. If anyone wants to drop by the Fountain Theater in Hollywood on their way to the show so they can point and laugh feel free.

I expect to hear a full report from any dopers who do see the show, including a song list and how many times Shane forgot the lyrics.

[Contrapuntal]

Recommend to me some Pogues CDs. I have just ordered Run, Sodomy, and the Lash. What's next?


Thanks,
A new Pogues fan.

[Linty Fresh]

Recommend to me some Pogues CDs. I have just ordered Run, Sodomy, and the Lash. What's next?


Thanks,
A new Pogues fan.

You've purchased one of the two best Pogues albums out there. Run, do not walk, to buy If I Should Fall from Grace with God.

And I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Red Roses for Me.

[jjimm]

Wow, I can't believe he's going to reunite. If he completes a single song I'll be surprised. In fact, I'll be amazed if he even turns up.

Also, if you haven't seen what he looks like these days, be prepared to be very shocked.

Do post back with a gig report!

[Contrapuntal]

You've purchased one of the two best Pogues albums out there. Run, do not walk, to buy If I Should Fall from Grace with God.

And I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Red Roses for Me.Many thanks.

[Moirai]

NAF1138, you can score tickets on Stub Hub right now.

Go.

[Moirai]

I expect to hear a full report from any dopers who do see the show, including a song list and how many times Shane forgot the lyrics.


Oh, sure, like anybody's gonna have that many functioning brain cells left...

;)

[Cluricaun]

Many thanks.

And be sure to skip Waiting for Herb and Pogue Mahone. Those are terrible albums. Not a lot of love for Peace and Love either.

[Tamerlane]

Not a lot of love for Peace and Love either.

I'll disagree on that last. I'm pretty fond of that one.

- Tamerlane

[Eva Luna]

if you haven't seen what he looks like these days, be prepared to be very shocked.


Well, I was too short to see the stage properly when jeevmon and I went to his Chicago gig a few years back, but apparently he puked all over the stage, (http://www.concertlivewire.com/popes.htm) then turned right back around and started singing again. That was definitely a concert first for me.

[Moirai]

My husband was at a show where he came out, sang a few bars, yelled "Oh fuck off!" and left the stage. For the rest of the night.

:D

[Hey, It's That Guy!]

I'm jealous too. Have a wonderful time! Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash is probably in my Top Five albums of all time.

[blaupunkt]

I think anyone going to a Pogues show these days will be pleasantly surprised, especially if you haven't followed the band for a while. Shane and the gang have been playing quite a few concert dates together over the last few years. It started with a series of dates around the Christmas season in Ireland and the U.K. and it has grown from there. I saw them in London last december and then again in Boston in March. Absolute magic.
The thing about it is that anyone going to Pogues show, with Shane singing, knows just how lucky they are. Most of us thought we would never have those days again. Many of the members of the band probably feel the same way. And that sense of mutual appreciation and love between the band and its fans becomes palpable during the shows. Its unlike anything I have ever experienced at a concert.
Kristy was missed for sure but having Ella Finer, Jem's daughter, fill her spot on stage with Shane during Fairytale of New York was amazing. So much more meaningfull that just hiring any old vocalist for that song.
Have a great time at the show. You're in for a real treat.

[Moirai]

24 hours to go!

I didn't realize it was Jem Finer's daughter singing... I'll reserve judgement instead of hating outright! ;)

This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me, especially since I never thought Shane would last this long. I think it'll be a great show.

No cameras, cell phones, bottles, cans or nuclear weapons allowed in the venue...

[Moirai]

Okay, you timid wankers, I'm going without you! :D

I just have to get dressed and we're off...

Hopefully, I will have a coherent report at some point tomorrow.

[Cluricaun]

I can't wait to hear how the show was.

[Moirai]

It was phenomenal! I was 20 feet from Shane, and it was all good.

A few random notes about the show...

First, the band- God damn, there wasn't a man on that stage who isn't an amazing talent. They were very tight and rocked the house for two full hours, including two encores. Every single number raised the bar.

But wait a minute! When did the musicians of my youth get so... old?!? The whole left side of the stage looked like it was waiting for a pension check! ;)

In particular, Spider Stacy, Phil Chevron, Terry Woods and James Fearney rocked harder than ever. Spider sang a song (damned if I can remember which) and did a hell of a job. Who knew a tin whistle could be a rock instrument? ;) I cried hearing Phil sing Thousands are Sailing, and that man can play a guitar! And Fearney plays an accordian like it's an electric guitar- love that guy.

Then, to Shane. Oh my... I knew what to expect, so I wasn't as horrified as I could have been, but frankly, it almost broke my heart to see him like this. While he's singing, he is the Shane MacGowan of old- angry, raucous and proud. But in between numbers, he was incomprehensible (more so than normal) and, well, tottering on the edge. He seemd quite sad and bemused by the whole thing. He didn't seem particularly happy about anything.

The set up was two songs with Shane singing, then 1 or perhaps 2 without him while he took a bit of a break. It seemed to work pretty well, and he didn't seem overly tired by the end.

It was a long show, which impressed me.

About Ella Finer- she is a lovely girl with a fine voice, but she has nowhere near Kirsty's chops and the song doesn't suit her. She blew the chorus twice. And what really creeped me out is that she was dressed just like Kirsty- the dress, the flower in her hair... squick. And Shane dancing with her at the end was just sad.

Playlist? Yeah, right... Lots of stuff of of If I Should Fall From Grace With God and Rum, Sodomy & The Lash, a nice mix of old stuff and "popular." Particularly moving were "Dirty Old Town" and "Irish Rover." I can't remember what two songs were in the first encore, but the second was "Fairytale of New York" (of course) and "Fiesta", which was a right riot onstage and off.

So overall, the best I could have hoped for, seeing as Shane is who and what he is. The boys have only gotten better and faster, and I can still see the Shane MacGowan I used to love inside this tragic wreck of a talented poet.

If you have a chance to see the shows in LA or Vegas, get your asses there, please. Please.

[Gatopescado]

If you have a chance to see the shows in LA or Vegas, get your asses there, please. Please.

Hummmm............... I still got a house in Vegas...............

[Moirai]

Really, you should go. Last chance, perhaps...