The Pogues

Pogues’ hard-living former frontman finds success as an artist

Shane MacGowan has no studio and draws on ‘sick bags’ with his wife’s lipstick, but Kate Moss has bought his art

Vanessa Thorpe Arts and media correspondent

23, Oct, 2022 @9:00 AM

‘Of course I like life!’ Shane MacGowan on the Pogues, his ‘death wish’ and his sideline in erotic art

Now 64, the singer has somehow survived decades of drink and drugs, only to face depression and ‘nameless fear’. But there’s no sign of him mellowing

Simon Hattenstone

04, Apr, 2022 @5:00 AM

No need to take offence to the word ‘faggot’ | Letters

Letters: Readers respond to Nick Cave’s claim that the Fairytale of New York has been mutilated by BBC censorship

Letters

08, Dec, 2020 @5:42 PM

Crock of Gold review – Shane MacGowan's colourful, chaotic life

It’s excess all areas in Julien Temple’s fond documentary of the Pogues frontman

Wendy Ide

06, Dec, 2020 @11:00 AM

Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan review – a sombre salute

Julien Temple rounds up the old gang for bleakly worshipful profile of the recalcitrant Pogues star

Andrew Pulver

04, Dec, 2020 @11:00 AM

Nick Cave accuses BBC of 'mutilating' Fairytale of New York

The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl song, to be played in a censored version on some BBC radio stations, will be ‘stripped of its value’, says Cave

Laura Snapes

01, Dec, 2020 @1:04 PM

Why do artists like the Pogues and Frank Capra have a special Christmas pedestal? | Rick Burin

Fairytale of New York and It’s a Wonderful Life evoke a unique and persistent magic, says writer Rick Burin

Rick Burin

29, Nov, 2020 @1:00 PM

Julien Temple: 'People who are considered difficult are very rich subjects for a film'

The film-maker on his new documentary about the former Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan and Johnny Depp’s role in it

Tim Lewis

29, Nov, 2020 @9:30 AM

Should the BBC have censored Fairytale of New York?

The BBC has laid out differing rules when playing the Pogues song, which features homophobic and misogynist slurs. Listeners to Radio 1, Radio 2 and 6 Music consider the decision

Patrick Strudwick, Luke Turner and Alex Hood

19, Nov, 2020 @4:40 PM

Radio 1 to air censored version of Pogues' Fairytale of New York

Offensive words in the Christmas song to be removed or altered for Radio 1, but remain unchanged on Radio 2

Ben Beaumont-Thomas

19, Nov, 2020 @9:06 AM

All I want for Christmas is normality: festive hits chart earlier than ever

Sales and streams of Christmas classics are up by 50% on last year as listeners turn to Mariah, Wham! and Shakin’ Stevens to combat pandemic blues