BYRON BAY BLUESFEST SIDESHOWS: The Pogues Live at Sydney Opera House 6/4/2026
- How Good! Chronicles
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
There are gigs you attend, and then there are nights that feel like folklore unfolding in real time. The Pogues at the Sydney Opera House on Easter Monday was firmly the latter—a raucous, emotional, whiskey-soaked celebration that turned one of the world’s most prestigious venues into something closer to a Dublin pub at closing time.
From the moment “Sickbed of Cuchulainn” kicked things off, the tone was set: chaotic, urgent, and alive. The band didn’t ease into the night—they tore straight into it. “Wild Cats of Kilkenny” and “Pair of Brown Eyes” followed, the latter bringing the first big swell of voices from the crowd, already fully invested.
What made the night special wasn’t just the setlist—it was the way the Sydney Opera House transformed and got everyone off their feet like holy miracle had just happened. Its pristine acoustics gave unexpected depth to songs like “Navigator” and “Planxty Noel Hill,” allowing the traditional instrumentation to breathe in ways you don’t always hear in rowdier venues. Then, just as quickly, the band would whip the room back into a frenzy with “Body of an American” and “Jesse James.”
Mid-set highlights came thick and fast. “A Rainy Night in Soho” was nothing short of magical—tender, reflective, and delivered with a sincerity that hushed even the most beer-fuelled sections of the audience. “Dirty Old Town” turned into a mass singalong, echoing through the sails of the Sydney Opera House with spine-tingling force.
A uniquely Australian twist arrived with “Waltzing Matilda,” which felt both unexpected and perfectly at home, drawing huge cheers and a sense of shared cultural mischief between band and crowd.
The encores were where things truly erupted. “The Irish Rover” and “Streams of Whiskey” had the entire venue bouncing, while “Boys From the County Hell” and “Sally MacLennane” pushed the energy into overdrive. By the time “Dark Streets of London” closed the first encore, it felt like the night had already peaked—until they returned once more.
Ending with “Greenland Whale Fisheries” was a masterstroke. It was gritty, raw, and defiant—a reminder of the band’s roots and enduring spirit.
This wasn’t just a concert; it was a collision of elegance and chaos.
The grandeur of the Sydney Opera House met the wild, unfiltered heart of The Pogues—and somehow, both came out stronger for it.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
A night of sweat, stories, and pub singalongs—exactly how The Pogues should be experienced.
THE POGUES SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE NIGHT 2 - 6/4/2026 SETLIST:
1) Sickbed of Cuchulainn
2) Wild Cats of Kilkenny
3) Pair of Brown Eyes
4) Billy's Bones
5) Navigator
6) Planxty Noel Hill
7) Gentleman Soldier
8) Jesse James
9) Man You Don't Meet Every Day
10) Body of an American
11) Old Main Dragg
12) Parting Glass
13) Dirty Old Town
14) Rainy Night In Soho
15) Pistol for Paddy Gracia
16) Poor Paddy Works On The Railway
17) Waltzing Matilda
18) London Girl
ENCORE 1:
1) Irish Rover
2) Streams of Whiskey
3) Boys from The County Hell
4) Sally Maclennane
5) Dark Streets of London
ENCORE 2:
1) Greenland Whale Fisheries
PHOTO GALLERY:
Special thank you to Leanne Menard and Face to Face Touring for helping us capture this Celtic Easter Celebration
Comments