Finally, I Got To See The Pogues! Was It Worth It?

Can you believe I was excited to see a band fronted by a guy with a froggy voice and a mug like that? Finally, after 15 years of waiting and hoping someday the original members of the band plus Shane Macgowan would get back together and tour the country I got to see The Pogues perform. And yes, it was worth it. Worth every last penny (and this was a much more expensive show than what I am accustomed to). First off, a short rant about opening acts. I'm all for them. It can introduce you to a great band on the rise whose music is unique or the very least fun, or it can be sheer torture. This case was the latter. A group of young guys from Ohio called Sarving Goliath started off the show who were musically pretty good, their music had a lot of variety, and was reminiscient to early 90's alternative. But they went too damn long and they looked like they could care less about performing at all. They probably never even heard The Pogues and saw it as another job. Though you can never tell because they sure didn't look like they cared. And note to bookers: if you are going to hire an opening act make sure they are more complimentary to the style of music to the headlining act. I can think of at least one band that was more deserving of the opportunity and I am sure they would have appreciated it more as well. And note to the band: if you want to try and appear all hardcore and smash your instruments make sure the guitar strap isn't around your neck when you try to throw it to the ground. You just looked stupid.

Sorry, back to the show....

A few days ago Shane had injured his leg, but promised to keep on performing. First, the band comes out, all 8 members of the original band (a rarety these days, Chicago tours with only the original 3) and a roady wheels out Shane Macgowan, resident poet, a man who lived the music he sang, a real rambler and drunkard with a beautiful heart. And he looked like an old man, much older than his 49 years as all the heroin and booze has finally caught up to him. Did the audience care? No, they cheered all the more. Could you imagine Mick Jagger or Britney Spears or any other singer coming out to perform in a wheel chair and getting the love Shane got? Think about it. This isn't just any band. This is our band. The fans braved a snow storm to come out to see him because they care that much. A friend and I wondered what song they'd play to star the show. No suprises it was "If I Should Fall From Grace With God". A catchy song more metaphor than hymn that would make you giggle if you saw the light up virgin Mary statue they had on one of the speakers that changed colors every few seconds. They played all their usual hits like A Pair Of Brown Eyes, Sunny Side of the Street, Bottle Of Smoke, and even threw in a few that I didn't recognize. As an added bonus for the song "Fiesta" Spider Stacy kept beat by banging a cookie sheet on his head. I was disapointed to not hear White City performed which is the first song I heard to make me a fan. It was the perfect concert in the fact that the crowd was into it and the band was obviously having a fun as well. Shane was in rare form in spite of looking tired. I'd definately see them again when they come to the Philly area.