The Pogues announce their first headline tour in a decade to celebrate 40th anniversary of their second album – a year after the tragic death of frontman Shane MacGowan
As a diehard Pogues fan who grew up listening to their raw, gritty tunes, this news about their tour has filled my heart with joy and my eyes with tears. I can still remember the first time I heard Fairytale of New York on Christmas Eve, it felt like a gift from the heavens. And now, here we are, almost four decades later, and they’re still making music that resonates deeply.
The Pogues, after a decade-long hiatus, have declared they will be launching their initial solo tour. This decision comes in the wake of the passing of their lead singer, Shane MacGowan, back in November 2020.
As a connoisseur of unique musical experiences, I’m thrilled to announce that my favorite Celtic punk band will be touring across the United Kingdom in May 2025! This exciting news comes as we gear up to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their iconic second album, Rum Sodomy and the Lash. So mark your calendars, fellow music enthusiasts, for an unforgettable journey back in time with this legendary band!
The shows will feature original members Spider Stacy, Jem Finer and James Fearnley, with the trio said to be joined by ‘special guests’ throughout the tour.
On their website, the group expressed: ‘Feeling down about the world? Cheer up by joining us in celebrating 40 years of The Pogues and Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash!’
They will be performing in Leeds, Birmingham, London, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle, but confirmed drummer Andrew Ranken would be absent due to health issues, with Fontaines DC’s Tom Cull standing in for him.It comes just weeks ahead of the band’s previously announced anniversary show in Dublin next month, to celebrate 40 years since their debut album, Red Roses for Me.
On December 17th, Spider, Jem, and James will be accompanied by musicians from the bands Fontaines D.C., The Pretenders, and The Mary Wallopers.
The album titled “Rum, Sodomy and the Lash” was launched in August of 1985, a year following their first studio album. The title was inspired by a statement made by Winston Churchill and suggested by a member named Andrew, as it appeared to encapsulate the essence of life within our band.
This album was praised extensively by music critics, with NME calling it potentially the top LP of 1985, and Rolling Stone even including it among their list of the 500 greatest albums ever made. The album was created by the renowned musician Elvis Costello.
Although it didn’t achieve significant commercial success, it boasts several of the band’s iconic tunes such as “Pair of Brown Eyes” and their rendition of “Dirty Old Town.
At that moment, our lineup featured Shane up front as the lead singer, accompanied by Spider playing the tin whistle, James on the accordion, Jem strumming the banjo, with Cait O’Riordan handling the bass, Andrew Ranken on the drums, and Philip Chevron on the guitar.
In November 2023, Shane, who co-founded the iconic band alongside Spider and Jem back in 1982, passed away at the age of 65, following an eight-year struggle against viral encephalitis – a severe illness characterized by brain swelling.
In the ’80s, this musician was well-known for his wild living habits, which included frequent parties, mumbled speech, lost teeth, and unpredictable stage performances.
Over the past few years, the well-known figure from Ireland had to rely on a wheelchair due to health issues connected to his long history of alcohol and drug misuse. At home, he received assistance from his wife and caregiver.
From 1983, Caitlin was part of the band, playing bass guitar and contributing to the background vocals during the production of their initial two albums. However, she departed the group following the release of “Rum, Sodomy and the Lash” in 1986.
Additionally, she ignited a romantic relationship with Elvis during their collaborative work on the album, eventually getting married, however, they parted ways in 2002 after the divorce.
In 2013, our lead guitarist Philip lost his life at the age of 56 following a hard-fought battle against cancer.
In 2007, he underwent treatment for cancer affecting his head and neck. Subsequently, he received a reassuring medical report stating that he was in good health. However, in May 2013, he disclosed that the disease had relapsed and was now considered terminal.
News about the tour arrives as The Pogues prepare for their anticipated comeback on the charts during the holiday season, with their iconic hit “Fairytale of New York” leading the way.
Since 2005, the beloved 1987 Christmas song, sung by Shane and the late Kirsty MacColl, frequently appears in December’s Top 10 charts, consistently ranking among the UK’s Top 75 during that month.
Although consistently ranked as the greatest Christmas song in numerous surveys, it has yet to reach the coveted number one position. In 2023, it was edged out of the top spot by Wham!’s timeless hit “Last Christmas.
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2024-11-19 15:20