Tradition Off Its Rocker: MAKING SENSE OF THE POGUES

Since lyricist and lead singer Shane MacGowan’s death in November 2023, there has been an explosion of artistic tributes, memorial concerts and a reconstitution of The Pogues for a 2025 tour. This lecture asks how we explain the abiding fascination with the brilliantly flawed MacGowan, The Pogues and their unique expression of Irishness, at once primal and hybridized?

This lecture includes a multimedia presentation which will trace the political, poetic, musicological and demographic currents that came together in this mad London offspring of punk and Irish trad in the early ’80s.

ShamRock n' Roll!!

Host or Publisher Irish American Heritage Museum