Influential Celtic rock band The Pogues have announced a UK tour in 2025, celebrating 40 years since their second album. Rum Sodomy & the Lash.
The tour is the group's first since their split in 2014 and their first since the death of singer-songwriter Shane MacGowan in 2023. The seven dates will take place in May 2025, with dates scheduled for Leeds, Birmingham, London, Glasgow, Manchester, and Newcastle.
According to a post on the band's website, the tour will feature founding members Spider Stacy, James Fearnley and Jem Finer along with some unnamed “special guests” to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their acclaimed sophomore album.
Released in August 1985, Rum Sodomy & the Lash was the follow-up to their 1984 Elvis Costello-produced debut, Red roses for me. Although it featured singles such as “A Pair of Brown Eyes” and “Dirty Old Town” and received critical acclaim, the record was not a commercial success.
This elusive success was followed by their next album, 1988 If I should fall from grace with Godwhich boasted the perennial (and often controversial) holiday favorite, “Fairytale of New York.” It was also the group's highest charting US record, peaking at No. 88 Bulletin board 200 – their only top 100 album.
Although initially active from 1982 to 1996, the Pogues reformed in 2001 and remained active until 2014, although no new material arrived during this time.
The death of legendary, magnetic frontman MacGowan in 2023 appeared to spell the end of any further chance of a reunion, although Stacy, Fearnley and Finer were joined by bandmate Terry Woods and Glen Hansard of the Frames at MacGowan's funeral for a performance “The Parting Glass”. On December 17, Stacy, Fearnley and Finer will lead a 40th anniversary celebration Red roses for me in Dublin, with members of groups such as Fontaines DC, The Pretenders and The Mary Wallopers.
A statement on the band's website confirmed that longtime drummer Andrew Ranken would not be taking part in any reunion shows due to health issues making it impossible to perform.
