MacGowan with all sails set

Thursday night was the Irish singer and notorious drunk Shane MacGowan back on stage in Bergen. Ten years and uncountable pints of guinness after two legendary gigs in "Hulen", time was come for "Det Akademiske Kvarter". MacGowan's old band the Pogues was changed with the Popes, and it had been sold out for a couple of weeks. It was in many ways a weird experience. As a gig and musical event it was not one of the worst we have experienced, and a lot better than last year's dismal Pogues-gig in "Teatergarasjen" (without Shane). But when the question is whether the frontman will survive the concert, it is difficult not to see the tragic dimension in it. However, it started off quite good. Very late, but with a full house determined to have a great party And a great party it was as well. At least for a while. The Popes was a good band, sounded tight and fresh. But after a while, the shades became too few, and the songs too similar. I have nothing against Irish drinking songs and old Pogues songs, but Shane MacGowan has a lyrical nerve as well, but it was never showed that evening. Shane MacGowan wished the audience a Merry Christmas, and welcome to Stavanger, but it probably was a joke. The trouble is we're not sure. Quite obviously a lot of the show was on autopilot, some said he had put the brain on repeat from the day before. Shane and thePopes played a lot of encores, but towards the end he had trouble pronouncing the words. No doubt Shane MacGowan came up to scratch. It is just sad that he will end as another rock 'n' roll tragedy.