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Thanks to the enduring allure of “Fairytale of New York,” the spirit of the Pogues’ Shane MacGowan is in the air once more. But MacGowan’s impact and legacy were also heard onstage in Dublin last night.

At the city’s 13,000-seat 3Arena, surviving members of the Pogues commemorated the 40th anniversary of the band’s debut album, Red Roses for Me, by playing the album start to finish with an array of guests. At a show that found a new generation of Irish rockers and even one rapper paying...

Last week, Carnegie Hall resonated with the spirit and songs of Sinéad O'Connor and Shane MacGowan as an expanded lineup of luminaries took to the stage for a historic tribute concert.

Amanda Palmer and Billy Bragg Perform at tribute to Sinead O'Connor and Shane MacGowan

Credit/Copyright: Al Pereira

This profound celebration, organized by City Winery, not only honored the indelible legacies of these iconic musicians but also supported the crucial mission of Pen America with a donation of $65,000 to help them in their mission of advocating for freedom of speech worldwide.

The event, Sinéad & Shane at Carnegie Hall, saw an unprecedented gathering of talent, with performances that spanned the emotional spectrum, from heart-wrenching ballads to uplifting anthems. The night was not just a tribute but a powerful reminder of O’Connor and MacGowan’s profound impact on music and cultural dialogue. The event opened with comments from Roisin Waters...

Irish music royalty Sinéad O’Connor and Shane MacGowan will be honored at an upcoming concert in New York City this spring.

On Monday, Carnegie Hall announced a one-night-only tribute show for the two musicians, featuring the likes of Cat Power, Dropkick Murphys, and David Gray on March 20, with 100 percent of net proceeds going to charity. The event, featured as a St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 20, is being billed as “Sinéad & Shane at Carnegie Hall.”

Glen Hansard, Amanda Palmer, Eugene Hütz, the Moutain Goats, Julia Cumming of Sunflower Bean,...

Shane MacGowan was known to enjoy an adult beverage or two — or ten. As mourners celebrated his life, the Pogues frontman made sure the drinks kept on flowing, as he left behind more than $12,000 to pay for the bar tab at his wake.

The Independent reports that following MacGowan’s funeral on December 8th, friends and family gathered at the singer’s favorite local pub, the Thatched Cottage in Nenagh. There, they enjoyed drinks courtesy of MacGowan.

“One of infamously hard-boozing MacGowan’s former drinking partners” told The Independent that MacGowan handed over €10,000 to be used for the bar tab, saying it was, “Shane’s last request.”

Update: MacGowan’s wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, clarified that “his last request was for peace and love in the world.”

Johnny Depp, Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie, and MacGowan’s former bandmates were among those who attended the wake. Also present was Glen Hansard,...

Pogues lead singer Shane MacGowan died of complications from pneumonia, his wife Victoria Mary Clarke revealed to the New York Times. The musician was 65 at the time of his death.

A funeral service for McGowan is set for Friday. The service will be open to the public and reportedly features a procession that will travel to Dublin from the town of Nenagh in MacGowan’s home county of Tipperary in Ireland. According to Rte, the funeral will be held at St. Mary of the Rosary Church and led by JJ Ryan’s Undertakers.

Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan died from compilations of viral encephalitis and pneumonia, his wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, has revealed.

The 65-year-old musician had been receiving treatment at a Dublin hospital for the last several months. He was discharged on November 22nd so he could spend his remaining days at home with family and friends. He ultimately passed away on November 30th.

“He wasn’t ready to give up. He wasn’t ready to stop fighting – but his body did it for him,” Clarke told RTÉ Radio 1.

A funeral for MacGowan is set for Friday, December 8th, and is open to the public. The procession will begin in Nenagh and travel to Dublin, where a funeral will be held at St. Mary of the Rosary church. Ireland’s president, Michael Higgins, is expected to attend the funeral. Other reported guests include Bono and the surviving members of the Pogues.

MacGowan’s...

Bruce Springsteen paid tribute to one of his “all-time favorite writers,” the former Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, in an Instagram tribute on Friday.

“The passion and deep intensity of his music and lyrics is unmatched by all but the very best in the rock & roll canon,” he wrote. “I was fortunate to spend a little time with Shane and his lovely wife Victoria the last time we were in Dublin. He was very ill, but still beautifully present in his heart and spirit. His music is timeless and eternal. I...

Shane MacGowan, the lead singer and songwriter of Celtic punk band The Pogues, who mashed up Irish folk music with raw rock, has died. He was 65.

A statement from MacGowan’s family said he died at 3.30 am U.K. time on November 30 after a long illness.

On social media, MacGowan’s wife Victoria Mary Clarke paid tribute to him: “Shane will always be the light that I hold before me and the measure of my dreams and the love of my life … I am blessed beyond words to have met him and to have loved him and to have been so endlessly and unconditionally loved by him.”

Born on December 25, 1957, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, England to Irish immigrant parents, MacGowan tapped into the Irish folk music tradition, combining it with poetic lyrics — inspired by the language of the Bible, literature, and mythology — and the raw and raucous rhythms of...

Shane MacGowan, The Pogues founder who sang Christmas classic Fairytale of New York with Kirsty MacColl, has died aged 65.

MacGowan’s wife Victoria Mary Clarke shared the news in a post on Instagram, saying: “Shane will always be the light that I hold before me and the measure of my dreams and the love of my life.”

“There’s no way to describe the loss that I am feeling and the longing for just one more of his smiles that lit up my world,” added Clarke. “You will live in my heart forever. Rave on in the garden all wet with rain that you loved so much.”

A spokesman for MacGowan told the BBC he “died peacefully at 3.30am this morning (30 November) with his wife and and sister by his side.”

MacGowan had suffered from health issues over the past few years and was reportedly released from hospital last week...

Shane MacGowan, the Celtic punk legend and revered frontman of The Pogues, has died at the age of 65.

MacGowan’s wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, confirmed his passing on Thursday (November 30th). “the love of my life and the most beautiful soul and beautiful angel and the sun and the moon and the start and end of everything that I hold dear has gone to be with Jesus and Mary and his beautiful mother Therese,” she wrote in a social media post. “I am blessed beyond words to have met him and to have loved him and to have been so endlessly and unconditionally loved by him and to have had so many years of life and love and joy and fun and laughter and so many adventures.”

An exact cause of death was not disclosed, but MacGowan had been hospitalized in recent weeks.

A gifted lyricist whose excessive consumption of...

Turns out Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift might have something in common besides being at the top of their respective professions. As demonstrated by his appearance on his big brother Jason Kelce’s cover of The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York,” Swift’s latest beau can at least carry a tune. Stream it below.

Recorded for A Philly Special Christmas Special — an upcoming holiday charity album from Jason Kelce and his Philadelphia Eagles teammates Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata — the cover features Jason taking on Pogues vocalist Shane MacGowan’s parts, while Travis sings Kirsty MacColl’s vocals. Together, they transform “Fairytale of New York” from a call and response between a jaded couple and turn it into a song about Philadelphia and their sibling rivalry.

“You’s a lush, you’re a crumb bum, you smell like some old scum,” Jason sings. “Washed up...

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s world tour takes them to Dublin this weekend for three shows at the Rds Arena. Prior to hitting the stage, Springsteen connected with some locals at a town pub.

Springsteen grabbed a drink at The Burrow in Rathangan, Co. Kildare, and even led the patrons in an impromptu a cappella performance of “My Hometown.” His choice of song was rather poetic, as Springsteen’s ancestral roots trace back to Rathangan.

While in Ireland, Springsteen also paid a visit to the Dublin home of Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan. MacGowan’s wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, shared a photo of the two musicians with the caption: “What an amazing honour and a beautiful experience to get a visit from The Boss. Such a truly wonderful man and a total genius!”

Michael Cronin of the Irish band Cronin was also in attendance and said Springsteen and...

Shane MacGowan of The Pogues has updated fans on his health in a New Year’s Eve post. The 65-year-old is back at home after a hospitalization in December to battle an infection.

MacGowan confirmed rumors that he has encephalitis, a disease in which the brain becomes inflamed.

In the Instagram video (see below), MacGowan confirmed his condition up front: “Hi friends, I’m sitting here suffering from encephalitis.”

Wearing sunglasses, MacGowan continued. “The light is killing me […] but I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year and Happy Christmas. And many more, and all the luck in the world and all the love. Happy Christmas and Happy New Year, love Shane.”

MacGowan was hospitalized in December, but wife Victoria Mary Clarke confirmed on December 15 that he was back home.

“Thank you everyone who has been messaging and blessings to everyone who has a loved one in hospital and...

Shane MacGowan of the Pogues has given fans an update on his health after he was rushed to hospital in December.

In early December, MacGowan, 65, was admitted to hospital due to an infection.

His wife Victoria Mary Clarke later announced that the singer had been diagnosed with encephalitis, an uncommon condition that causes the brain to swell and can be life-threatening.

Those with serious cases can be left with problems such as seizures, hearing loss, and blindness.

Hours before midnight on New Year’s Eve (31 December), the “Fairytale of New York” musician gave fans an update on his condition.

“Hi friends, I’m sitting here suffering from encephalitis,”said MacGowan in a video. He was wearing sunglasses and a cross necklace in the clip.

“The light is killing me,” he said, explaining his choice of eyewear. “But I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year and Happy Christmas and many more.

Shane MacGowan’s wife, journalist Victoria Mary Clarke, has given fans a promising update on The Pogues frontman’s health.

MacGowan was rushed to hospital earlier this month (5 December) after falling ill with viral encephalitis, a medical condition which causes inflammation in the brain.

The 64-year-old “Fairytale of New York” artist had also contracted shingles, which spread to his eye.

Clarke previously told fans that doctors were “confident he will be Ok”, and thanked fans for sending good wishes in the wake of his illness.

On Tuesday (13 December), she shared a picture of MacGowan in his hospital bed, alongside the message: “Fingers crossed @ShaneMacGowan will be home tomorrow!”

Speaking to the Irish Sunday Independent at the weekend, she also opened up about the situation.

“I was absolutely terrified. You don’t know what is going to happen, do you? You just don’t know,” Clarke said.

“I noticed it on his face.

There has been an update on the condition of Pogues’ singer Shane MacGowan, who was rushed to hospital on Monday (5 December).

The “Fairytale of New York” musician has been in and out of hospital in recent years.

Earlier this week, MacGowan’s wife, the journalist Victoria Mary Clarke, urged fans to “send prayers” to the Pogues frontman.

Now, Clarke has tweeted to update concerned fans on the musician’s wellbeing, stating that “doctors are confident he will be Ok”.

“I just wanted to thank everyone who has been sending good wishes for Shane MacGowan ,” she wrote in a tweet late on Tuesday evening (6 December).

“He is being treated for an infection and the doctors are confident that he will be Ok. I am just incredibly grateful to them and to all of you,” she added.

Well wishes have been pouring in for the 64 year old, who uses a wheelchair after...

Shane MacGowan, the frontman of The Pogues, was rushed to hospital on Monday (5 December), with his wife Victoria Mary Clarke asking fans to “send prayers”.

The “Fairytale of New York” musician, 64, has been in and out of hospital for various health issues in recent years.

He has used a wheelchair since he broke his pelvis in 2015, and in 2021 broke one of his knees, with his combined injuries leaving him unable to walk.

MacGowan has also had a long struggle with substance abuse issues, and in 2015, he underwent surgery to get a new set of teeth. The last of his original teeth had fallen out by 2008.

His current medical condition is unknown.

Posting on Twitter on Monday (5 December), Irish writer and artist Clarke shared a picture of MacGowan wearing a large cross around his neck and smiling, with the caption: “Please send prayers and healing vibes to @ShaneMacGowan in hospital again...

Shane MacGowan has been spotted partying with Kate Moss at his art exhibit in London on Tuesday (11 October).

The Pogues frontman was celebrating his art collection with a range of familiar faces at the Andipa gallery in Knightsbridge where his work is expected to sell for over £30,000.

Kate Moss also attended the event, and was spotted celebrating with the 64-year-old singer at the exhibition, entitled The Eternal Buzz and the Crock of Gold.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Victoria Mary Clarke Angels (@victoriamaryclarke)

MacGowan wore a blue suit and sunglasses for the occasion, while the 48-year-old model wore a long black dress.

The Irish singer was pictured with Moss and his wife and journalist Victoria Mary Clarke, who lives in Dublin with MacGowan. The pair have been married for 35 years.

McGowan’s artwork features many pieces that the musician drew throughout his career, mostly using a...

One of the most memorable and disturbing evenings in my extensive concert-going career came in the early 2000s at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles when The Pogues came to L.A. on a reunion tour with Shane MacGowan, the lead singer they’d fired more than a decade earlier for his unreliability and substance abuse. MacGowan was a mess, leaving the stage for stretches of the concert and barely able to croak his way through the songs in what seemed to be an alcohol- or drug-induced haze — and yet the audience responded deliriously to every slurred word and cheered even louder for every stumble and slur.

Was it a concert or a sideshow? Was the audience so besotted with the beautiful-loser myth that it gloried in the damage MacGowan had done to himself and loved him more because he was such a disaster? Or were they on his side,...

Magnolia Pictures has picked up North American rights from HanWay Films to Julien Temple’s documentary about Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan.

Magnolia Pictures has picked up North American rights from HanWay Films to Julien Temple’s documentary about Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan.

Crock Of Gold – A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan is still in production and chronicles the life and music of the legendary singer-songwriter leading up to his 60th birthday celebration.

The film combines unseen archival footage from the Irish band and MacGowan’s family with animation by Ralph Steadman.

Magnolia plans a release later in the year. HanWay...

Exclusive: “I’ve got a feeling,” goes the Pogues’ classic song “Fairytale of New York,” “this year’s for me and you.”

It might well be a good year indeed for the former frontman of the Celtic punk band as Magnolia Pictures have picked up the North American rights to the Johnny Depp-produced documentary Crock of Gold – A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan.

First put out to market earlier this year at the European Film Market, the Julien Temple-directed look at the hard-living English-born poet was acquired by Magnolia after a bit of bidding war, I hear. From Temple’s Nitrate Film, Depp’s Infinitum Nihil and Stephen Malit, the deal was closed by Magnolia EVP Dori Begley and Svp Acquisitions John Von Thaden, and by HanWay Films on behalf of the filmmakers.

HanWay Films has worldwide sales rights on the project. Altitude Films will distribute the film in the UK and Ireland,...

Altitude to distribute documentary in the UK and Ireland.

Julien Temple is to direct a documentary about Irish musician Shane MacGowan, produced by Johnny Depp, which the UK’s HanWay Films has acquired to sell worldwide.

Shane will feature animation, unseen footage from Temple’s own archives and contributions from collaborators, artists and MacGowan’s family to tell the story of his life. The film will culminate with his 60th birthday celebration, populated by musicians and film stars.

HanWay Films has acquired worldwide sales rights and will introduce the project at the upcoming European Film Market (February 20-28), where the...