This was the first of three shows in a row by Shane and the band at this intimate Dublin venue which, needless to say, was packed to capacity. The audience were really in the mood for the show particularly as it was the first time Shane and the band were booked to play an unseated venue in Dublin. My own opinion is that seats, alcohol, Shane MacGowan and the Popes, and their restrained (!?) audience is best suited to a standing only venue (with a well-stocked bar!!)

At around 11pm the band came on stage and launched in to If I Should Fall From Grace With God". From the moment they started playing the crowd began a wild celebration of energic Irish/Punk dancing which continued for most of the show. Shane and the Popes were in good form and played a set consisting of old Pogues classics such as "Sally MacLennane", "The Body Of An American" and "Streams Of Whiskey" along with tracks off the new, long awaited, album. Among the new numbers featured were "Will You Come To The Bower", "Rock'n'Roll Paddy", "Paddy Public Enemy Number One", and the outstanding "Lonesome Highway".

Shane is obviously enjoying playing live these days and is far more animated on stage. He has also added little moments of comedy to the performances. For example, he decided to disturb the fiddle intro to "Broad Majestic Shannon" by placing his fingers over the strings while smiling devilishly at the audience. He also placed the end of the microphone stand over Kieran, the accordion player's shoulder and dragged him towards him in the style of a fisherman hauling in a fish. There were only two major problems during the whole show. Firstly, Shane ran out of cigarettes and announced the fact to the audience who promptly sent a shower of unlit cigarettes on to the stage. The second problem was when an over enthusiastic fan got on stage and bumped into Shane's monitor causing his collection of drinks to get knocked over. Thankfully, this problem was quickly sorted out!!!

The Popes seem to improve with each show and their musical ability is often breathtaking, particularly during the instrumental and the new songs. All in all, I think everyone left feeling happy except of course the ambulance chasers and members of the media who just can't accept the fact that Shane, with the help of the Popes, is recapturing his best form.

Shane MacGowan and The Popes, Live at "Mean Fiddler", Dublin, Saturday 20th September

I didn't get to see the second show due to work commitments (the attraction of an all-day free bar at our company golf day proving the winner, sorry Shane!!) but I was assured by people that it was even better than the first one. All the ingredients, such as a suitable wild audience, were much in evidence again on the Saturday night as Shane and the Popes gave their unique mix of "Irish bandit music" another outing. Shane was in top form from the moment he came on and greeted the audience in Irish with the phrase "Dia is Muire Dhuit", which means "May God Be With You", right to the end of the show. Highlights of the set included "Dirty Old Town", Skipping Rhymes", "Lonesome Highway" and "Sickbed Of Cuchulainn".

The audience were also treated to an unaccompanied rendition by Shane of the last verse of "Paddy Public Enemy Number One" and a wonderfully weird Irish reggae segment during the instrumental medley. "Ceilidh Cowboy", which Shane dedicated to Terry Woods, was also memorable. I can't really pick out highlights of the show because the whole thing was brilliant, possibly one of the best I have ever seen from Shane. If only it could have been longer!!