The death of Pogues singer Shane MacGowan was one of the defining music news stories of 2023. The following year, the band reformed after a decade apart, and have now announced a North American tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of their classic album Rum Sodomy & the Lash — including a couple of Canadian stops in Toronto and Montreal.
With a lineup including original Pogues members Jem Finer, Spider Stacy and James Fearnley, the tour will also include an all-star lineup of guests: Darragh Lynch (Lankum), Ion Zajac, Lisa O'Neill, Nadine Shah, James Walbourne (the Pretenders), John Francis Flynn, Jordan O'Leary, Fiachra Meek (Alfi), Jim Sclavunos (the Bad Seeds), Holly Mullineaux, Pete Fraser, Daniel Hayes and Ian Williamson.
"To celebrate the 40th anniversary of our second LP, Rum Sodomy & the Lash, a veritable Super Session of musicians, a Last Waltz if you will — including the Pogues themselves, members of bands that have come after, such as Lankum, featuring such incomparable artists as Lisa O'Neill and John Francis Flynn, not to mention from the Bad Seeds — will gather to rekindle the music on the record with a new fire," the band shared in a statement. "We're looking forward not just to raising a glass or two but also to raising the roof with our fans and friends, old and new, to celebrate the music we've made and the alliances we've formed over the years."
The short stint on the road kicks off on September 5 in Washington, D.C., with the Pogues' venture to Canada following shortly thereafter for performances at Toronto's History (September 10) and Montreal's MTELUS (September 12). As of right now, the tour is slated to end with a two-night stand in New York from September 16 to 17.
Tickets go on general sale this Friday (April 4) at 10 a.m. local, with various presales getting underway Thursday (April 3). Find the full schedule of dates below, as well as more upcoming shows via Exclaim!'s Canadian concert listings.
The Pogues 2025 Tour Dates:
09/05 Washington D.C. - Lincoln Theater
09/07 Boston, MA - Seisíun Festival
09/08 Philadelphia, PA - Franklin Music Hall
09/10 Toronto, ON - History
09/12 Montreal, QC - MTELUS
09/16 New York, NY - Terminal 5
09/17 New York, NY - Terminal 5