POGUETRY Concert Review (Teragram Ballroom)

“Cajun Poguetry”
Poguetry Concert Review
Teragram Ballroom 10/4/2022
Written by Jason Reed

On Tuesday, October 4th, the City of Los Angeles was blessed by a rare performance of Irish musical legends Spider Stacy and Cait O’Riordan (of the Pogues) playing with the Grammy award winning Lost Bayou Ramblers in front of a packed house at the Teragram Ballroom.

The incorporation of the robust and skilled musicianship of the Lost Bayou Ramblers into the Pogues’ extensive back catalogue of immortal songs created a unique blend of traditional Irish musical sensibilities mixed with an energized Cajun and Creole energy that can only be described as unique, uplifting and invigorating. It was a satiating musical gumbo of various elements where the whole magically becomes more than the sum of its parts.

All in all, 22 songs were performed, with no filler anywhere to be seen. Each song felt carefully and lovingly selected. “Boys From The County Hell,” “Greenland Fisheries,” “Dark Streets of London” were overflowing with resplendent energy and fervor while the yearning introspection and longing of “Auld Triangle,” “Dirty Old Town (Vieux Village)” and “Pair of Brown Eyes” had this reviewer on the edge of being teary eyed on more than one occasion. The band even performed a cover of the Clash’s anthemic “London Calling” (a song they performed with Joe Strummer during his brief tenure as vocalist of the Pogues after Shane MacGowan’s initial departure in the early 1990’s). The crowd responded to this musical display accordingly throughout the night, swaying, bopping and cavorting to the undeniably rhythm and lyrical beauty of these compelling tunes.

Another highlight of the evening included hearing Cait O’Riordan’s evocative vocal performances of “I’m A Man You Don’t Meet Everyday” and “Haunted” as the audience adoringly accompanied her word for word. Spider Stacy’s energy seemingly knew no bounds as he sang song after song with emphatic gusto and played his trademark flute with an unrelenting multitude of quick breathes and finger flourishes.

As I left the venue all I saw were beaming smiles, people hugging each other and an overall climate of satisfaction and gratitude, like bar patrons lovingly departing an Irish pub on St. Patrick’s Day after a day of celebration and comraderie. It seemed that the crowd (rightfully so) knew that they were lucky to have witnessed something very precious and rare occur in the City of Angels. 

Here is a photo of the setlist for the night:

To stay up on the Lost Bayou Ramblers and their unique musical recipe of cajun southern comfort, check out www.lostbayouramblers.com. Also, follow Poguetry on Instagram: @poguetryinmotion