Moody Mistress's Journal

Poguetry in NYC

This was one of the strangest concert experiences I've ever had.

It's no fault of the band; they were fantastic. Couldn't be better. But since they're a drunken Irish punk band, they attract drunken, sometimes Irish (since it was the day before St. Patrick's) fans.

I knew it was General Admission, so I got there an hour before the doors opened although Times Square was chilly that evening. This way I managed to be in the very front, leaning on the barrier. The band had 2 opening acts, plus a "DJ" that did nothing but play records and turn knobs that did nothing. 4 hours later, my feet were killing me. I didn't think I could make it for the rest of the night. The band's showtime was at 10 o'clock.

The group of guys behind me were completely drunk by this time. The entire crowd was very restless. When the band finally came on, everyone lost their minds. It didn't help the drunk situation that the first song was "Streams of Whiskey."

Here's the drunken band, by the way (bad photo, but it's the best I could do):



















As the first song began, I felt myself being slammed against the metal barricade. I came prepared for this kind of thing, but I was really surprised when I found myself almost getting knocked to the floor. I grabbed onto the barricade, but it was no good; I couldn't even watch the band when I was so busy trying to stay off the floor. (Couldn't hear the band either with a rather large drunken man singing in my ear.) I currently have bruises on my knee from where it slammed into the wall.

By the second song, a security guy (not the nice young one I'd chatted with earlier about all his securtiy work in NY and Atlantic City) had to pick me up and pull me over the wall. Very surreal, getting carried away by a stranger, when one of your heroes is singing a few feet over your head (ie Shane MacGowan).





















I then had to dazedly walk past the band and find a place in the corner while an older security guy yelled at me for being in the way. I completely missed hearing "If I Should Fall From Grace With God."
It's OK though, because not five minutes later at least three other girls had to be carried out. If you're a girl at a Pogues concert, and you're not large, this will probably happen to you if you don't want to get crushed. Later still, countless drunk guys had to be pulled over the wall too. Drunken brawls broke out. Punches were thrown at security guards, and every so often you'd see people's feet going by at the top of the crowd.

Sadly, my corner became the place where all the removed drunks got to stand. But I was content to be there: I had an OK view, and pushing my hand repeatedly into a dancing guy's back to keep him from falling on me wasn't too annoying, even if he made me miss most of "Sally MacLennane."

Doesn't matter. Shane is fascinating to watch.






















All his comments are unintelligible and he drinks on stage and knocks over the mic stand, but he also very skillfully balances cups on his head and hardly forgets any lyrics. I've seen an old concert DVD and I actually think he's just as good now as he was then, and the reports of him being a complete wreck are just not tue.

The accordion player, James Fearnley, is incredible. How he manages to play and then throw himself to the floor without injury is beyond me. What a showman. Also, I love Philip Chevron (whose name I've known longer than most since he was a pal of Elvis Costello).

I wish I'd gotten better photos of Shane dancing with Ella Finer in the fake snow during "Fairytale of New York." I got a few shots of his huge bottle of alcohol during "Fiesta" though. (You can just make out Spider Stacy playing the whistle in the snow here):

















The band deserves a lot of credit for being more interesting to watch than the brawls were. And although I think my ribs got a little bruised (it actually hurts to draw a deep breath)... and my knee is in poor shape and my feet are incredibly sore, I have to wonder if it's worse than the hangover Shane's going to get after 4 gigs in New York! (Actually, nevermind. He's never sober enough to get one!)












I am in such pain right now, but it's official: I love the Pogues. I only hope that if they keep touring I'll be brave enough to see them again one day.