I went to the Pogues show at the Electric Factory (Philadelphia) on 3/13/08. It was my first time seeing the Pogues (though I've been a fan since my friend introduced me to it in college). I first heard the Pogues when my friend gave me the "If I Should Fall from Grace with God" CD on the ferry from Harwich, England going to Amsterdam. Loved it.
Anyway, this show was completely out of control! I loved every minute of it. It's one of those events that shakes you out of the everyday humdrum and reminds you that you're still alive. The music was A+ and the crowd was insanely fired up. Even having to dodge the moshing, crowd surfing, and stage diving fools, a great time could not be denied. I highly suggest you get to a Pogues show.
Otherwise, I had a "Shane MacGowan" thread going recently in this forum. The point of that thread was (before I went to this show), that I thought that Shane couldn't have much longer to live (given how he looked in that Tribute to Ronnie Drew video). Anyway, he's never had crowd-pleasing good looks, but he (and the rest of the Pogues) belted out two hours of excellent music. They put a bottle of white wine for Shane at the foot of his microphone before the show starts, but he only nipped at it once during the show. Otherwise, he drank from a coffee/tea mug all night (mystery beverage). At the end of the show, the aformentioned bottle of white wine was hoisted into the air by our man and poured all over his face and into his mouth (but I don't think he actually drank it). Anyway, whatever, the show was great. If he can manage to keep himself together and entertain without the booze, then he'll be with us for years to come. Also, Philip Chevron did a great version singing his tune "Thousands are Sailing".
Anyway, this show was completely out of control! I loved every minute of it. It's one of those events that shakes you out of the everyday humdrum and reminds you that you're still alive. The music was A+ and the crowd was insanely fired up. Even having to dodge the moshing, crowd surfing, and stage diving fools, a great time could not be denied. I highly suggest you get to a Pogues show.
Otherwise, I had a "Shane MacGowan" thread going recently in this forum. The point of that thread was (before I went to this show), that I thought that Shane couldn't have much longer to live (given how he looked in that Tribute to Ronnie Drew video). Anyway, he's never had crowd-pleasing good looks, but he (and the rest of the Pogues) belted out two hours of excellent music. They put a bottle of white wine for Shane at the foot of his microphone before the show starts, but he only nipped at it once during the show. Otherwise, he drank from a coffee/tea mug all night (mystery beverage). At the end of the show, the aformentioned bottle of white wine was hoisted into the air by our man and poured all over his face and into his mouth (but I don't think he actually drank it). Anyway, whatever, the show was great. If he can manage to keep himself together and entertain without the booze, then he'll be with us for years to come. Also, Philip Chevron did a great version singing his tune "Thousands are Sailing".