Irish folk-punk legends The Pogues have today announced their first headline tour in 13 years.
Half a dozen dates around the country will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their iconic album Rum Sodomy & the Lash, with surviving members of the band joined by a host of guest vocalists.
Released in 1985, the record is a cornerstone of punk and alternative rock, renowned for its raw energy, poetic lyrics, and infectious melodies. Highlights include classic songs like A Pair Of Brown Eyes, Sally MacLennane, The Old Main Drag and Dirty Old Town.
The tour will feature original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer and Spider Stacy in The Pogues’ first UK appearance since 2014 when they performed at London’s Hyde Park with The Libertines.
The reunion will inevitably be tinged with sadness. Longtime guitarist Philip Chevron died in October 2013, with the band dissolving the following year. Bassist Darryl Hunt died in August 2022 and frontman Shane MacGowan died in November 2023.
The surviving members reunited to perform The Parting Glass at MacGowan’s funeral on 8 December 2023, and in May this year Finer, Fearnley and Stacy performed Pogues songs with a variety of guest musicians on vocals at London’s Hackney Empire to celebrate the 40th anniversary of debut album Red Roses For Me.
In May 2025 they will visit Leeds, Birmingham, London, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle, The band will play Rum Sodomy & the Lash in full, including B-sides, extended version tracks, and a selection of their most-beloved material.
The Pogues said: “After the uproarious bash which was the 40th anniversary of our first record, Red Roses for Me, in 2024, we wanted to do it again, but with Rum Sodomy & The Lash.”
Tickets go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 22 November HERE.
