The Pogues in Leeds

For Christmas Lee bought me tickets for the Pogues in Leeds. I know it's not the same band as Shane is dead, but it is four of them, and with Spider Stacy on vocals, so I was excited to go. Lee and I so rarely go to gigs together that it's nice to every now and then. We both love the Pogues so much that we were excited to see them. 

We set off for Leeds at just after 5pm. It was the very hot Mayday but we made it to Leeds in good time and parked in The Light. I had booked a table at Tamatanga for 6.30. I've been before but Lee hadn't and I knew he would like it. As we were a bit early we went into the new amusement arcade in the Light first. I haven't seen it before but it's got a bunch of things inside. We played air hockey where Lee won and Mario Kart where I won! I think it's nice to have an arcade in there, I would go again. 

Then we headed down to Tamatanga. We were early but there weren't many people in so it was fine. It was also nice and cool in there with strong aircon! I ordered two Peachy Blinder cocktails as they're on 2 for 1 before 7pm, so I had to! Then for food Lee had Punjabi butter chicken with naan, and some tama chips alongside. The chips were really spicy and delicious. I went for chaat bombs and black butter lentils, with rice. I probably had both exactly those last time, but never mind! They're both delicious.

We sat there for a while just chatting which was nice as Lee's new job is really full on and we haven't had a lot of time to chat about it. We eventually left Tamatanga, put my bag in the boot of the car because I don't think it would have been allowed in the venue, and headed up to the Academy. It was about 8pm and there were so many people around because the weather was nice. We didn't want to go in yet because we had standing tickets and didn't want to stand for too long as neither of us would have been able to. We finally got in about 8.30. I haven't stood downstairs at the Academy since it was the Town and Country Club back in the late 90s! Hah. We were right at the back where there are actually several banquettes for seating. I managed to get a seat! I couldn't see the band from where I was sitting, but it meant I could have a rest. If I leaned on the sofa too I could see, so it was fine. So good for me! 

The band came on about 8.50 and played for nearly two hours. They are so good live, really proficient and melodic. They played a ton of stuff that I wanted to hear including I'm A Man You Don't Meet Every Day which we had at our wedding and at our vow renewal. It was so beautiful! They did two encores which was fun. It was just a really good atmosphere and we both enjoyed ourselves. 

We got home about a quarter to midnight and unsurprisingly headed straight to bed! 

Lee in Tamatanga

And here's me

Peachy Blinder cocktails, what a ridiculous name haha

Chaat bombs, they are so good

Black butter lentils and pilau rice

Lee took this photo as mine didn't come out very well. I actually didn't take many photos but I did ring my mum so she could hear a couple of songs, and send a couple of voice notes to my friend Cinders. Including A Rainy Night in Soho which was SO beautiful live!