Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Partly cloudyMagazine
Preview: The Pogues
by David Sue14/12/2006
IT'S perhaps no surprise to hear that Shane MacGowan and Pete
Doherty have become recent allies.
Aside from their obvious fondness for excess and debauchery,
MacGowan and Doherty share an unpredictable attitude towards
keeping their eager audiences waiting.
But this being Christmas, it is the season of forgiveness and, of
course, no song better sums up the modern Yuletide sprit than The
Pogues' enduring classic Fairytale Of New York.
That song, more than any other, sums up the collision between
romance and destruction for this most turbulent of bands.
Influenced by Irish folk, arcane literature and a general sense of
beery bonhomie, The Pogues were the ultimate good time band.
One of the greatest bands of the 1980s, they teetered on the edge
of collapse in the early 1990s, when MacGowan departed and Joe
Strummer helped out.
Since then they have veered towards self-parody with more interest
shown in MacGowan's drinking habits than his music.
But now they're back and unlike most reunion cash-in tours, The
Pogues have commendably retained their original essence by not
being an exercise in revisionism.
The band you'll be witnessing on stage are the same band of old,
racked with drama, romance and volatility - and anything could
happen.
Even their vocalist turning up late and maybe being just a little
unruly.
But then, this is the festive season for forgiveness, after all.
The Pogues play the MEN Arena tomorrow (Saturday).
Got an opinion you want to share?| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.8% |
| AA | 7.9% |
| Sainsbury's Personal Loan | 8.2% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Lloyds TSB | 8.9% |
| Abbey Personal Loan | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
4.50% |
|
FIRST DIRECT Everyday e-Saver |
1.75% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
2.25% |