Amsterdam shine at The Pogues’ Echo Arena gig

Jul 23 2009 by Gary Porter, Chester Chronicle

Amsterdam shine at Pogues’ Echo gig

FOR most bands warming the crowd up for The Pogues, as if it was needed, would be a daunting task.

But not for Ellesmere Port’s own Amsterdam, who blasted out a passionate set fittingly filled with Irish flavour, thanks to the customary flutes and fiddles.

Frontman Ian Prowse performed Home as beautifully as ever, while the final song of the set, Arm in Arm, had the Echo Arena well and truly fired up for the legendary main event.

The highlight though, as ever, was the popular Does This Train Stop on Merseyside, which has become an anthem for the city of Liverpool. Once again, it was simply brilliant.

The Echo Arena is a wonderful location, and Amsterdam were right at home on a stage of such magnitude. They always get better, and they never fail to impress. It’s always a pleasure to see a band giving it their all and truly enjoying what they do.

Moving on to the main event, having not seen The Pogues live before, but with an inkling of what to expect, I wasn’t disappointed.

The Arena may not have been full but that didn’t stop a fired up crowd dancing their way through a mammoth 24-song set.

The Pogues and an uneasy on his feet Shane MacGowan, who was sporting an eye patch, know just how to work a crowd, that was clear to see, and they had everyone on their feet.

Those inside the Arena on Wednesday night more than got their money’s worth.

Two encores capped a wonderful show, and it was a delight to see the audience shrug off their aching limbs and dance like crazy in the aisles to Irish Rover and Fiesta.

A great sight and one I’ll look forward to seeing again, along with Amsterdam on the kind of stage where they belong.