Nick Argyriou

Whistles and glee, alcohol and merriment all meet the Pogues’ first tour of Australia since 1989 this evening. Joined by a full ensemble of original players: Shane MacGowan, Jem Finer, Spider Stacy, James Fearnley, Darryl Hunt, Andrew Ranken, Philip Chevron and Terry Woods are all on board the feverish Irish express. Nick Cave enters from a side door and rushes up to the barrier, fan-like, before proceeding to nod away in appreciation of musical genius. The crowd is psyched. The Stacy tin whistle gears up as MacGowan launches right into Streams of Whiskey and the sing-alongs begin. Snarls, booze, rabid yeehaw, good times then lead into the valiant and dance-y, sea-shanties: If I Should Fall from Grace with God, The Broad Majestic Shannon and Greenland Whale Fisheries. It’s short, sharp, and pure punk. Read the full review here.