Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?

Subject: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 24 May 10 - 04:43 PM

Just wondered if the Pogues are worth seeing these days or are they past their sell by date.

Why do I ask, you might wonder.

My family are in Amsterdam soon and the Pogues are on. However, having not seen them live and I have to say, I am not impressed with their youtube videos, makes me wonder if we should go and have a nice meal or go and see them.

What do mudcatters think?

Arthur

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 24 May 10 - 05:45 PM

I kind of thought they were past their sell-by date when I saw them in about 1990. The band's self-indulgence and, umm, excesses compromised the performance, and I got the impression that the audience was more providing a show for the band than the other way around -- so why didn't the band have to pay to see us, instead of our having to pay (quite a bit) to see them?

Of course, that was 20 or so years ago; I suppose they could have grown up a bit. And it could be that I'm just hopelessly old-fashioned about performance styles...

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 25 May 10 - 01:14 AM

Thanks CB. That tells me enough and it matches my own thoughts. Just needed confirmation.

It's a meal then. :-)

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: GUEST,Paddy Quinn
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 09:25 AM

The Pogues are fantastic now.

You won't regret going to see them, believe me.

MacGowan's screech is hauntingly piercing.

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: Steve Hunt
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 09:33 AM

The Pogues in Amsterdam?! That sounds pretty much unmissable in any year!

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: buddhuu
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 12:06 PM

The Pogues still rock. I go to their Christmas gigs in Brixton every year. I love 'em.

I think Phil Chevron is back on form again now after his illness, and Shane and Spider are always good.

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: GUEST,Alex
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 12:37 PM

Of course they're worth seeing. They are legends and as musicians they are far superior than they ever were in their heyday and all things considered, Shane has worn remarkably well. Comments about sell-by-date are absurd as back in the day they were pretty hopeless and you essentially went to see for the experience of getting legless and shouting a lot. Now you can appreciate the genius of MacGowan's songwriting and the miracle of his survival all these years.

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 02:57 PM

I dont think they are worth seeing.

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 03:04 PM

Dick I trust your judgement
Thankyou
Arthur

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: sharyn
Date: 06 Jun 10 - 11:28 PM

That partly depends on if you ever liked them ...

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 04:14 AM

As Alex said , Shane McGowen is a VERY good writer - Though how he has survived this long with the way he mistreats his body is remarkable

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: buddhuu
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 05:18 AM

Shane and Philip Chevron are both very good songwriters.

The Pogues are an experience.

So, Shane can't sing properly, and his speech is slurred, but contrary to popular legend he is not always pissed when he goes on stage. He is in a bit of a state, but his heart is still there. He puts a lot of what he has left into his performances.

Sadly, he doesn't always do his own songs justice these days as he quite often loses his place and repeats verses, but IMHO he still feels what he sings.

Phil Chevron still sings well and I actually prefer to hear him singing "Thousands Are Sailing" rather than Shane.

Many of the lads have developed into very good players, and one should never forget the presence of Terry Woods.

The Pogues were largely responsible for reviving my interest in folk songs and traditional music. Before hearing their first two albums I had pretty much abandoned folk music during the 1970s in favour of rock music, punk and reggae. A lingering love of blues was pretty much all that remained.

To hear a punky bunch of very different sounding blokes taking inspiration from traditional tunes and from the previous generation of folk revivalists convinced me that there might still be life left in the old dog. Twenty years later I'm more deeply fascinated by songs and trad music than I ever was first time around, thanks to the path The Pogues set me back on.

Many people may go to see the Pogues out of loyalty and love. That's true of many bands. I feel a great affection for Shane MacGowan and the lads.

In a similar way I love old Barney McKenna. After his health problems, Barney doesn't play like he used to, and his links and tales tend to ramble, sometimes to the point of slight embarrassment, but Barney and Shane each have a place in history, and I am grateful to them both for where they have led me.

The Pogues and the Dubs. I owe them. As long as both those bands gig I will go to see them and enjoy every moment of it.

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 05:31 AM

Buddhu - thank you for that.

My family have decided that they do not want to see them, so end of story from their point of view.

However, it is turning into a very interesting thread and hopefully mudcatters will carry on posting.

Thanks to all those who have taken the trouble to post already.

Arthur

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: GUEST,Kendall
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 06:26 AM

We have one of their CDs and I don't care for them at all. However, music is so subjective no one can tell you what to like or not like. Ronnie Drew has or had a terrible voice but I liked to hear him. And Louis Armstrong, YIKES, sounded like he ate sand paper but he was hugely popular. (Not with me)

Subject: RE: Are the Pogues worth seeing 2010 ?
From: glueman
Date: 07 Jun 10 - 12:39 PM

The tour they did with the late lamented Kirsty McColl was very good.