Belfast’s busiest folk band, the Rapparees, have been fanatical followers of the Pogues throughout their musical lives; and in 2014 when they were asked to pay homage to their heroes, they jumped at it.
Ten years on and over 30 sold-out shows later, their Pogues tribute concerts have now become an annual tradition in Belfast, Dublin and the UK with them having just completed a sold out 12 date tour in December 2023 .
Since the recent sad passing of the one and only Shane McGowan the band have received many requests to take the show to other audiences and will play 4 dates in Ireland this Easter, following this up with an expanded Irish and UK Christmas Tour in November and December 2024 .
The Rapparees have been making waves in folk music circles for over 15 years. Renowned for their unique and distinctive sound and their trademark ‘rough & ready’ style of playing, reminiscent of that of Shane McGowan and The Popes. They forged a deep understanding and grá for the music of Shane and The Pogues having toured with them earlier in their musical careers.
They reproduce the magic of such hits as Fiesta, A Rainy Night in Soho, Dirty Old Town, A Pair of Brown Eyes, Streams of Whiskey, Sally McLennane, If I Should Fall From Grace With God and many more, not forgetting a certain festive classic.