The Pogues
Shane MacGowan Says He's "Fine" With 'Fairytale Of New York' Censorship
By Ed Biggs in Music / Festivals on 07 December 2018
The debate on Christmas song censorship has focussed on The Pogues' festive hit.
Amid the newly re-triggered controversy over the lyrics of Christmas classic ‘Fairytale of New York’, the song’s writer Shane MacGowan has said that he’d be “absolutely fine” with the word “faggot” being censored on the radio.
From time to time, debates have re-emerged as to the use of the word, sung by Kirsty MacColl in the 1987 Christmas hit for The Pogues and which has since become officially the most-played festive song of all time. The word “faggot” is rightly regarded as a homophobic slur in this day and age, but some have argued that the contemporary context of the song means the word should be interpreted as traditional Irish slang for a ‘lazy person’.
This week, RTE 2FM presenter Eoghan McDermott tweeted to object to the word, which he condemned as a “slur” and “insult”, while his colleague Stephen Byrne revealed how he felt when he heard it played in a club.
Continue reading: Shane MacGowan Says He's "Fine" With 'Fairytale Of New York' Censorship
U2 Fan Stands Out In Crowd Post
By Clive King in Music / Festivals on 24 July 2017
U2 took to Twitter to share a picture of 80,000 fans at their Dublin gig, but their photograph has hit headlines for the wrong reasons after a guy in the front row was spotted aiming a two-fingered hand gesture at the camera.
U2 posted a picture of their lively Dublin crowd on Saturday night (22.07.17) - but the photo stood out due to one fan.
The Irish rockers - made up of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. - took to their Twitter to upload the image of their 80,000 capacity crowd at Croke Park, but didn't spot one guy in the front row flicking them an inoffensive two-fingered gesture.
U2 captioned their picture: ''Full house tonight. #U2 #croker #dublin #U2TheJoshuaTree2017 (sic)''
Continue reading: U2 Fan Stands Out In Crowd Post
The Pogues Frontman Shane MacGowan Gets New Teeth For Christmas
By Stephanie Chase in Music / Festivals on 20 December 2015
For the first time in 20 years Shane MacGowan has been able to eat an apple, thanks to a full set of new teeth.
For decades Shane MacGowan has been famous for his less than pearly smile, but now The Pogues’ singer is a new man with a whole new set of teeth. MacGowan treated himself to a new set of gnashers this Christmas and chronicled the whole journey in the Sky Arts documentary, 'Shane MacGowan: A Wreck Reborn'.
Over the course of six months MacGowan attended numerous consultations before undergoing six operations to achieve his new smile. The frontman’s dental issues were caused by years of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as constant fighting and he lost his last natural tooth seven years ago.
Continue reading: The Pogues Frontman Shane MacGowan Gets New Teeth For Christmas
Shane MacGowan Breaks His Pelvis After Performing 'Complicated Dance Move'
By Stephanie Chase in Music / Festivals on 31 August 2015
The Pogues frontman isn’t exactly know for his dancing skills…
The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan is recovering after breaking his pelvis last Wednesday (August 25th). The 57 year old was reportedly rushed to hospital after a fall, according to The Irish Mirror, with his partner Victoria Mary Clarke confirming the news and adding that Shane had been doing ‘a complicated dance move’ before the accident.
Continue reading: 'A Fairytale Of New York' Is The Most Played Christmas Pop Song Ever
Did You Save A Man's Life At A Pogues Gig?
By Jack de Aguilar in Music / Festivals on 08 July 2014
If it was you, get in touch, you're owed a pint
A Pogues fan is trying to get in contact with the man who may have saved his life at a gig on July 5. When Andrew Plank collapsed with a heart attack while watching the Celtic punk-rock legends played in Hyde Park, he probably didn’t expect a fellow audience member to leap to his assistance.
But, luckily for Mr. Plank, he was in the vicinity of a CPR-trained Pogues fan; one, who despite the raucous atmosphere, was sharp enough to administer the treatment that in all probability saved his life.
Continue reading: Did You Save A Man's Life At A Pogues Gig?
The Libertines' Highly Praised Hyde Park Gig Interrupted By Surging Fans
By Elinor Cosgrave in Music / Festivals on 07 July 2014
The Libertines' first reunion gig in London for four years was a critical success but the crowd were particularly badly behaved. The band's performance was interrupted two songs in by a crowd surge and the concert managers were forced to ask the crowd to stop throwing fireworks at the beginning of the set.
The Libertines' first reunion gig on English soil got off to a rocky start when overzealous fans surged towards the stage whilst the band performed at the British Summer Time gig in Hyde Park, London. This is the first time in four years the group has performed in the capital and their appearance has been praised by critics.
Pete Doherty performing with The Libertines in Glasgow last week.
Read More: The Libertines Reunited For Hit Laden Hyde Park Warm Up In Glasgow.
Continue reading: The Libertines' Highly Praised Hyde Park Gig Interrupted By Surging Fans
Darryl Hunt and The Pogues - The funeral of The Pogues guitarist Philip Chevron at the Mansion House - Dublin, Ireland - Saturday 12th October 2013
Gone But Never Forgotten, Philip Chevron Leaves Legendary Pogues Behind In His Passing
By Jack de Aguilar in Music / Festivals on 09 October 2013
The punk-folk stalwart was a fans' favourite
Has there ever been a better sing-a-long band than The Pogues? Probably not, and you can bet there’ll be many a drink raised and many a sing-a-long sung tonight as the news that the band’s guitarist Philip Chevron lost his battle with cancer, dying aged 56.
Paul Chevron will be missed by The Pogues and their fans
A statement posted on The Pogues' website said: "After a long illness Philip passed away peacefully this morning. We all send our sincere condolences to his family." Chevron joined the band on a temporary basis after their debut album, but his value was clearly felt, and he was a permanent member by the time the band got round to their second album.
Continue reading: Gone But Never Forgotten, Philip Chevron Leaves Legendary Pogues Behind In His Passing
Pogues Guitarist Philip Chevron Dies Of Cancer, Aged 56
By Lauren James in Music / Festivals on 09 October 2013
Chevron, who died yesterday, wrote some of the band's most successful songs.
Philip Chevron, guitarist with The Pogues, has passed away after a long battle with cancer. The group confirmed the loss with a statement on their website reading "After a long illness Philip passed away peacefully this morning. We all send our sincere condolences to his family."