Band: The Pogues with support from Tom Gabel
Venue: House of Blues
Location: Boston, MA
Date: March 20, 2009

Though the Irish of Boston couldn't swim in a sea of Guinness whilst celebrating St. Patrick's day with the Pogues, a green connection was nonetheless made at Boston's House of Blues on March 20, a day that marked the arrival of the vernal equinox. Ireland's patron saint of all things literary and musical shuffled out on stage with cig in hand, gently acknowledging the crowd. Shane MacGowan might have more interest drawn to the state of his teeth, liver, or general carousing, but at the House of Blues he proved he can still channel the rich tradition of Irish storytelling set against the musicianship furnished by the seven-strong crack band (and to be honest, co-leader Spider Stacy doesn't get enough credit for his contributions on vocals and tin whistle). As the Irish say, we all enjoyed a bit of the craic. Against Me! leader Tom Gabel opened the evening with a solo set of extremely earnest and leaden folk songs. He could use a levity lesson or two from Billy Bragg.