The Phogues

About the show

In the mid to late 1980s, The Pogues were one of the wildest and most talked-about bands of

the era. They crashed punk rock headlong into Irish Folk, lyrically ignited by singer/songwriter

Shane MacGowan’s brutal yet romantic observations on life at the dog end of the Thatcher

revolution. Full of spirit, in both senses of the word, there was simply no other band like them.

With a full line-up and the pick of the songs from five studio albums, The Phogues pay tribute to

the greatest Irish band that Ireland never produced. Like the original, the eight members of the

Phogues come from all over the place. Also like the Pogues, some have Irish heritage; others

don’t. What unites them is supreme musical skill and a desire to honour Shane’s songs and the

band that gave them to the world.

The Phogues have live experience ranging from Somerset’s famous cider pubs to the

internationally famous Sidmouth Folk Festival. They bring verve, energy and authenticity to

every show they play, backed up by songs including ‘Sally McLennane’, ‘The Irish Rover’,

‘Thousands Are Sailing’, ‘Streams Of Whiskey’ and, of course, the greatest Christmas song ever

written, ‘Fairytale of New York’ – which they’ll happily play even on a boiling hot summer’s

Afternoon.

The Phogues will sweep your audience back to the days when Guinness was 50p a pint, the

racing was on the telly in the corner of the boozer and there was always an ‘oul fella’ at the bar,

sharing his wit and wisdom. Happ