The Pogues – Glasgow Barrowland

Of course, The Pogues can never truly be The Pogues without Shane MacGowan.

His voice, his songwriting and his larger-than-life presence were so central to the band’s identity that replacing him was always going to be impossible. Even during the years when Joe Strummer stepped in to help keep the show on the road, nobody would have pretended it was quite the same thing.

And yet…

When I heard that The Pogues were embarking on a tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of Rum, Sodomy & the Lash, there was never any doubt that I would be going.

When I discovered it was taking place at the Barrowland, there was even less doubt.

If The Pogues have a spiritual home outside Ireland, then surely it must be the Barrowland. The venue’s rough edges, history and atmosphere feel perfectly suited to music that combines beauty, chaos, humour and heartbreak in equal measure. It was difficult to imagine a more appropriate setting for celebrating one of the greatest albums ever to emerge from the British and Irish folk-punk scene.

Before the main event, we were treated to a set from Stick in the Wheel.

They proved to be an inspired choice of support act. Their approach to traditional folk music felt entirely in keeping with the spirit of the evening while bringing their own contemporary edge to the material. Rather than simply revisiting the past, they demonstrated how folk traditions continue to evolve and remain relevant.

The audience responded warmly, setting the stage perfectly for what was to come.

Then the lights went down and The Pogues took over.

There was an understandable sense of emotion hanging over the evening. Shane MacGowan’s absence was impossible to ignore, but rather than feeling like a tribute concert, the performance felt more like a celebration of the songs themselves and the extraordinary legacy they left behind.

Rum, Sodomy & the Lash remains a remarkable record forty years after its release.

Produced by Elvis Costello and packed with songs that blend Irish folk traditions, punk energy and literary storytelling, it still sounds fresh today. Hearing those tracks performed live in the Barrowland was a reminder of just how powerful the album really is.

The audience certainly didn’t need reminding.

Every chorus seemed to be sung back towards the stage with passion and enthusiasm. Some people were reliving memories from decades ago, while others were discovering these songs in a live setting for the first time. Either way, the connection between band and audience was obvious throughout the night.

One of the highlights came when members of Lankum joined the band on stage for several songs.

Lankum have become one of the most respected and innovative folk groups around, and their presence added an extra layer of authenticity and emotional weight to the evening. Their voices blended beautifully with the material and provided some particularly memorable moments.

It felt like a passing of the torch between different generations of Irish folk musicians.

Looking around the Barrowland, it was impossible not to reflect on how enduring these songs have proven to be. Four decades after their creation, they still inspired joy, tears, dancing, shouting and everything in between.

That’s the mark of truly great music.

No, it wasn’t the original Pogues.

It couldn’t be.

But it was something worthwhile in its own right: a celebration of an extraordinary album, an unforgettable songwriter and a catalogue of songs that continue to resonate long after their creator has gone.

The videos and photographs below include support act Stick in the Wheel, appearances from members of Lankum and a memorable night at what felt like the perfect venue for The Pogues.

If ever an album deserved a 40th birthday party, Rum, Sodomy & the Lash was it.

Support came from Stick in the Wheel.