The Pogues On Playing Shows Without Shane MacGowan
The remaining members of The Pogues have spoken to NME about their upcoming live shows and the outpouring of grief following the death of singer Shane MacGowan.
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The band recently announced their first headline tour in 13 years – and first since MacGowan’s death – which will feature the original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer and Spider Stacy, alongside a cast of guest singers.
Finer said, “One of the great things about doing these songs with new people is you get new twists to them. There are songs I can imagine coming to life that might have been throwaway before. I’m interested in what will happen with The Gentleman Soldier because that’s a mad song.”
When asked whether they expected MacGowan’s death to have such an impact, Stacy replied, “We were aware of the quality of what we were doing, but the way Shane came to be regarded and the nature of the funeral was something else entirely. It had the trappings of a state funeral. It was extraordinary. Walking to the abbey, every shop and pub was playing Pogues songs.”
Finer also reflected on the service, “We went through all emotions. It was extreme sadness, but then elation that you can only feel when you’re in that state of extreme grief. The spirit of Shane was very much present – even in the fact he arrived late! He was definitely there. It was unlike any service I’d ever been to.”
The band went on to speculate what MacGowan would make of their upcoming shows. “As to what we’re doing now,” said Stacy. “I think there would be a considerable amont of mockery!”
The Pogues 2025 UK and Ireland tour dates:
May
1 – Leeds, O2 Academy
2 – Birmingham, O2 Academy
3 – London, O2 Academy Brixton
6 – Glasgow, Barrowland
7 – Manchester, O2 Apollo
8 – Newcastle, O2 City Hall
11 – Glasgow, Barrowland