Pogues Return to Ottawa, Celebrating a Historic 1986 Debut

The Pogues, the renowned British Celtic-punk band, are set to return to Ottawa, performing at the CityFolk Festival. This concert marks a significant moment, as it revisits their memorable debut in the city on July 7, 1986, which has had lasting impacts on Ottawa’s music scene and its concert promotion history.

Eugene Haslam, the concert promoter who brought the Pogues to Ottawa for their first North American tour, reflects on that landmark show. Held at Barrymore’s Music Hall, the concert attracted a packed audience and demonstrated that the city could support emerging musical acts beyond traditional genres like classic rock and blues.

At the time of the Pogues’ inaugural performance, Haslam was navigating a challenging period in his career. He had transitioned from a job in banking to managing his first club, the Underground, which had recently closed, leaving him financially strained. “I had no money,” Haslam recalled. A friend encouraged him to apply for welfare, but shortly after, he received a call offering the Pogues a gig. Despite hesitations about funding the deposit, a timely welfare check allowed him to proceed.

As the concert day approached, Haslam faced mounting anxiety when the band was late arriving. “I’m dead because if this band doesn’t show up, all the tickets get refunded,” he said, recalling the panic he felt. Just as he was about to let the audience in, a tour bus appeared, bringing the band and relief to Haslam.

The performance itself became legendary, described by fans as “an intense and chaotic spectacle.” After the show, Haslam was able to pay his rent and felt reinvigorated. “Going from that low to that high in the space of a few hours, it was crazy,” he stated.

Now, with the Pogues returning to Ottawa nearly four decades later, Haslam sees the significance of that initial performance. He noted that the band helped establish his career and contributed to the city’s evolving music culture. Reflecting on their impact, he said, “Had that not happened the way it did, I might have been a banker and Ottawa might have gone in a different direction.”

Although Haslam never met the band members during that tour, Spider Stacy, a tin-whistle player, expressed appreciation upon hearing Haslam’s story. “I’m really pleased it worked out,” Stacy said, reminiscing about the excitement of their early tours in Canada.

The current tour evolved from a one-off celebration of the Pogues’ 1984 debut album, Red Roses For Me, which featured original members alongside younger musicians. The success of that concert in London prompted the band to continue touring, leading them back to Ottawa to perform songs from their breakthrough album, Rum Sodomy & the Lash, the same album that launched their first North American tour in 1986.

As the Pogues embark on this journey, their return to Ottawa not only honors their past but also symbolizes the growth of the city’s music scene. The upcoming concert promises to evoke the vibrant energy and passion that defined their original performance, celebrating both their legacy and the evolution of live music in the capital.