The Willtern, Los Angeles, Oct 31 + Nov 1 2007

[Adam]

I keep hoping to hear "Worms" - how about on Halloween?

And they did play it, to start the second encore! Just James & Andrew came out, played "Worms" then the rest of the band came out ad Andrew stayed up front for "Star of the County Down." The second encore continued with Rainy Night in Soho, then ended with Fiesta.

It was an odd show, somehow. Not sold out, not even close, and signs up saying no moshing, no surfing, etc. It was definitely an older crowd, with only a few in costume. The brilliance of the Pogues was evident from the start, when they all came out wearing Mariachi costumes! Everything was good, but I feel that the energy didn't go to a next level until the playing of "Repeal of the Licensing Laws" in the middle of the set. Shane & Spider were interacting quite a bit with the folks in the pit (I was in the back of the pit). Spider threw out handfuls of candy at points towards the end.
Guess I should post this in the West Coast thread...

[Adam]

It was an odd show. Not sold out, not even close, and signs up saying no moshing, no surfing, etc. It was definitely an older crowd, with only a few in costume. (One fellow in a Viking helmet in the pit, but he hung out leaning against the wall.) The brilliance of the Pogues was evident from the start, when they all came out wearing Mariachi costumes! Everything was good, (well, maybe a touch of shakiness on the first couple of songs) but I feel that the energy didn't go to a next level until the playing of "Repeal of the Licensing Laws" in the middle of the set. Shane & Spider were interacting quite a bit with the folks in the pit (I was in the back of the pit). Spider threw out handfuls of candy at points towards the end. Shane tossed his microphone to the folks in the front at the end.

And they played "Worms" start the second encore!
I didn't track the set list. But it was mostly the standard one, I think, with "Kitty" in there, and a couple of nice rearrangements - I liked the one of "Young Ned of the Hill." The first encore was
Sally MacLennan
Poor Paddy
Irish Rover
Second encore:
Worms
Star of the County Down
Rainy Night in Soho
Fiesta

[Adam]

Actually, this song list from Seattle seems about right for the main set, maybe shuffled a bit here & there:

"Streams of Whiskey
If I Should Fall from Grace with God
The Broad Majestic Shannon
Turkish Song of the Damned
Young Ned of the Hill
A Pair of Brown Eyes
Boys from the County Hell
Tuesday Morning
Kitty
Sayonara
Repeal of the Licensing Laws
Sunnyside of the Street
The Body Of An American
Lullaby Of London
Greenland Whale Fisheries
Dirty Old Town
Bottle of Smoke
Sickbed of Cuchulainn"

Except no "Sayonara"

[Buschman]

I don't think I have ever laughed harder than when the Pogues took the stage last night in their mariachi costumes...they all had these shit eating grins on their face; I swear Spider reminded me of Martin Short in the 3 Amigos...it really was hilarious. And then to see Shane come out in a bathrobe and a Mexican sombrero...hopefully DZM has some pictures of that whole scene! A great show, Shane in great form...no apparent missed lines or anything! When Shane took off the robe and the hat he looked "handsomer" than I have seen him since the 80's (not that I am gay, as if that matters!) his bangs hanging down like some school boy! And the shirt he was wearing was vintage!

As someone else posted it was a relatively tame crowd though. Up front in the pit no pushing or shoving, very little singing along or even dancing. It was nice not to be pushed around much for a change, but something was missing, not with the band but with the audience...at least where I was.

Then this douche next to me in the front kept yelling "Shane, Shane, Shane" every break, or "Spider, Spider, Spider"...that was annoying. Then the MF tried to steal my african hat which he had "borrowed" during the show!

Worst of all (which I assume most of you have experienced): I couldn't find my frigging car for about 45 minutes after the show, since I was too cheap to park at Ralphs and was on some forgotten side-street...but other than that a great night! As if you care about my anxiety condition anyway!

I did comment to Spider that he should have ironed his shirt better! I don't think he heard me! Fuck the "Guest"! Long live DZM! Johan you were there in spirit!!!

Good to see everyone I know and I look forward to seeing you all next year sometime!!!!!

Busch

[blakemoreln2]

It was an odd start. Older crowd, (myself included), and the pit was a safe place to be. We happily were only about 4 rows back from the stage. It was nice to not get pushed around, but there was an energy missing. Definitely not the buzz like last year, with their first L.A. appearance in 15 years or so. However, it did pick up halfway through. There was a tall fellow next to me dancing with his mates who were having a fantastic time and that was cool...

Shane's bathrobe was a nice touch, Fearnley was his usual great self, Spider seemed a little snippy but performed well. Noticed that Fearnly had to dry off his accordion quickly after Shane sprayed him. Great to hear GWF and Kitty, missed White City and of course Fairytale.

Thank you Pogues for a great show and great time. Taking my daughter tonight to her first Pogues show. Wonder if the mariachis were for Halloween or for tonight too.. Hope the upstairs folks are lively tonight!

[blakemoreln2]

I neglected to mention that Mr Chevron you were missed! James Walbourne did an admirable job, but you can't replace a legend.

[Zuzana]

The first pics of the Pogues dressed as a mariachi band on Halloween evening. Not very good or detailed, but they give at least some impression. And there is even Shane in the fetching bathrobe.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixel_revolution/

[DzM]

Mis pantalones están ardiendo! (Which I believe translates literally as "No chilies for me, please. I'm full already. Perhaps a beer would be in order. Thank you!" I love the economy of the Spanish language.)

Mariachi de Pogues at the Wiltern on October 31:

http://photos.dzm.com/v/music/the_pogues/20071031/

[Clash Cadillac]

Mariachi de Pogues at the Wiltern on October 31

These photos are classics. Great job DzM, thanks for posting. I am so jealous I missed that show.

[Buschman]

Great pics DZM!!! I have been waiting all day so I could re-live the hilarity and prove to my friends (among other's, the best guy I have ever met from New York, NY Rich!) that such an upsurd event could really have happened. Thanks again for the fine job in getting us pics, and running this site!

[PITGERL]

I was at last night s show at the wiltern.........yeah the crowd was tamer than last year.but I had a great time....dressed as a leprechaun, drinking guinness and watching Shane and the boys right in front of me....who could ask for anything more?.....I danced myself silly and have the blisters to prove it......was a great night, if I wasnt so knackered would go again tonight....but seein the Murphys there tomorrow so gotta keep me energy up.......thanks again lads....love you!

[firehazard]

DzM, those are great pics. Thanks. And don't the boys look so good!

[mats]

Excellent photos

Reminds me of the ones I´ve seen when The Pogues dressed up like NY cops back in the 80´s

[I-Hate-Usernames]

Just wanted to say that the 31st was my first Pogues show ever, and it was about the best night of my life.

Highlights:
-Kitty, which was way better than I remembered it from the album,
-Sunnyside of the Street, which fucking destroyed the studio version,
-Sayonara, which ditto,
-WORMS! How completely kickass was that?! I loved seeing the sparks from the cigarette fly at the end of that number. Had kind of an unintentional poetry to it. I wish I'd gotten a picture of that. Such a euphoric damn moment.
-Fiesta. Everybody seemed to be having fun. The beer tray, Shane spilling booze everywhere, and the balancing of the beer cup on his head. Brilliant cap to the night.

Thanks for a great damn time.

[Johan From Sweden]

Excellent photos

Reminds me of the ones I´ve seen when The Pogues dressed up like NY cops back in the 80´s

No, that was you´r favorit band "Village People" you think of.