CityLife

I didn't go this year for the first time because I too had grown tired of the travelling freak show. I'd be more than happy to see the MacGowan-less Pogues play a tight, professional set again, as they did when they toured the Pogue Mahone album. But of course that band wouldn't sell out the MEN, where hordes of ghouls come to laugh at the antics of a man who is killing more than his band's reputation. I'm not surprised Spider and the rest are getting fed up - no amount of money is worth the damage being done to these great old songs.<br /> <br /> Spider and the boys - come back next year and play a smaller venue. leave Shane back in the pub with his blurred memories.<br />

Having first seen the Pogues in Manchester even before their debut album was released ( Cloud 9 i believe ) and on numerous occasions since i feel very sad to see them roll up for their annual Christmas bash...yes the band are still fantastic but Shane is now a paraody of what he once was...a joke even...it does make awkward viewing to see this...why people can call him charismatic is beyond me...yes he was charismatic in his day..yes he was an amazing lyric writer...yes Fairytale is the greatest Christmas song ever...but that was then...now is now and the man has lost it and i certainly will not be seeing the Pogues again, which is a shame for the rest of the band as as proved earlier in their career they cannot be the Pogues without Shane.<br /> <br /> It is an absolute travesty that on Friday at the Apollo was another Irish band who stormed it for nearly 2 and a half hours..had the place rocking, including a certain Peter Kay on stage with them yet there is no review of them...i came out of the Saw Doctors wanting next year to be here already...i came out of the Pogues just feeling a bit sad<br />

The Pogues are a fantastic multi- talented band - I have been a fan for some 20 plus years, however with some sadness now refuse to see them in a stadium-style venue. I'd rather remember them as they were circa 1985-88 when they were at their best in smaller Manchester venues (such as the International)<br /> <br /> One of their best performances was at the Apollo in Dec 1987 when Shane was slurring through his lyrics as usual aided by the late great Kirsty MacColl. The atmosphere at that gig was electric. Happy days!.....and when we came out of the venue it was snowing...aaahhh!<br /> <br /> Dom - even though both Spider and Terry Woods are accomplished frontmen, The Pogues wouldn't be who they were without the inebriated Shane at the helm. I'm sure that his thousands of adoring and loyal fans would agree with that! Long live The Pogues!<br /> <br /> Touce ;)<br />

Having paid to see The Pogues twice in a week, I've been left pondering about being the fool in the 'fool and his money are easily parted' saying. Having been well entertained by The Stranglers who are a sleek and professional band, the contrast with The Pogues couldn't have been more different. Mind you, the contrast between the excellent musicians in The Pogues and Shane MacGowan is equally massive. Basically, he's happy to turn up every Christmas to top up the beer (or is it Martini?) money for the next twelve months. He thinks so little of the fans that he's happy to turn up so drunk that he can hardly stand or remember the words to most of the songs. It was funny twenty years ago, not now. To see this aging alcoholic who can't sing to save his life staggering around is both sad and pathetic. It's time for the other band members to ditch him. Spider Stacey, clearly irate with MacGowan's antics for most of the gig, is more than good enough on vocals. I'm afraid it's like the story of the emperor's clothes, but I for one am not prepared to go along with the herd and say what a great bloke he is when he can't sing or even remember the words. Before fans write in, just remember that while you're struggling through the credit crunch, MacGowan will be staggering all the way to the bank. Shame.<br /> <br /> Dawn - you've just proved my point :)<br />