The Pogues live last night

The Pogues at Brixton Academy

With Christmas only a few days away, what could be more appropriate then a night of festive Irish folk music and a Fairytale of New York?

The Pogues yesterday brought out the yuletide cavalry for their annual two day holiday celebration at Brixton Academy, as well-crafted flute melodies coloured a set impressively crowned by raw accordion solos.

Despite sombre sunglasses and a black leather coat, Shane McGowan and his eight-piece band earned two encores and the audience both clapped and sang along to Dirty Old Town. Late on stage, McGowan - toothless but not tuneless – whipped up the mood with his dark voice and confident  swagger.

As the band launched into their famous Christmas single, which is currently number eight the charts, falling snow covered the stage and the band wished everyone a Happy Christmas.T-shirts with the slogan “Lend me 10 pounds and I’ll buy you a drink” perfectly summed up the evening of Celtic punk, both on stage and all around the venue. 

You had to be Irish or drunk to understand a word McGowan said or sang, but no one seemed to care – a cheerful Christmas atmosphere was in the air.

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- David Hellqvist