Rogues' Gallery

This is a somewhat inspired, somewhat uneasy mix.
The performances, like the line-up, were varied, ranging from the brilliant to the shambolic. Teddy Thompson’s voice was incredible and the Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon did a fine job, while Shane MacGowan was in typical form – heartbreaking, in every sense of the word – sheer genius mixed with moments of drunken buffoonery.
The Three Pruned Men, ex Virgin Prunes Gavin Friday, Guggi and Dave Id Busaras, may not be overburdened with vocal talent, but you couldn’t accuse them of being boring. Running, jumping and leaping around the stage as if it was still the 1980s, I wasn’t sure what the correct emotional response should be – laughter, tears or applause.
The big draw of the night was Lou Reed, but while he gave us a funky version of ‘Handsome Cabin Boy’, he seemed in workmanlike form. The surprise highlight of the evening came courtesy of actor Tim Robbins, who performed a rousing version of ‘Haul On The Bowline’.
For an evening dedicated to sea chanteys, it was all a little polite. I was hoping for, although not expecting, a bit more madness, but the crowd at Grand Canal Square – a mix of clean-cut forty-somethings, ageing punk faithfuls and culture luvvies – seemed far more likely to be found holidaying on a luxury cruise liner than ‘Frigging In The Rigging’. Oh well.
This is a somewhat inspired, somewhat uneasy mix.
The performances, like the line-up, were varied, ranging from the brilliant to the shambolic. Teddy Thompson’s voice was incredible and the Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon did a fine job, while Shane MacGowan was in typical form – heartbreaking, in every sense of the word – sheer genius mixed with moments of drunken buffoonery.
The Three Pruned Men, ex Virgin Prunes Gavin Friday, Guggi and Dave Id Busaras, may not be overburdened with vocal talent, but you couldn’t accuse them of being boring. Running, jumping and leaping around the stage as if it was still the 1980s, I wasn’t sure what the correct emotional response should be – laughter, tears or applause.
The big draw of the night was Lou Reed, but while he gave us a funky version of ‘Handsome Cabin Boy’, he seemed in workmanlike form. The surprise highlight of the evening came courtesy of actor Tim Robbins, who performed a rousing version of ‘Haul On The Bowline’.
For an evening dedicated to sea chanteys, it was all a little polite. I was hoping for, although not expecting, a bit more madness, but the crowd at Grand Canal Square – a mix of clean-cut forty-somethings, ageing punk faithfuls and culture luvvies – seemed far more likely to be found holidaying on a luxury cruise liner than ‘Frigging In The Rigging’. Oh well.