The Pogues are on tour?!? My Irish eyes would smile, but I'm German, and this isn't a Kraftwerk review. (Check the official Pogues website for dates near you.) Stuck in the '80s Denver correspondent Matt Tartar caught their show over the weekend and supplies a great take of the show. The floor is yours, Matt. (Just be wary that McGowan is passed out over there to the left):

I just returned from the Pogues show here in Denver. I was the first time they've played here and it's taken too long. The concert was exceptional.

The show started off on an odd note when I realized I was wearing the same shirt as Shane MacGowan. But when they kicked off with Streams of Whiskey and If I Should Fall from Grace with God all was forgotten in a wave of Celtic jubilance. They followed those up by pouring out song after song.

My friend and I were amazed at how complete the group sounded and how unexpectedly coherent MacGowan sang. His voice was deeper and well worn but there was no mistaking the growl on Poor Paddy or Sick Bed of Chunhulian. Even the slower songs like A Pair of Brown Eyes and A Rainy Night in Soho were pronounced.

Of course he did need Spider Stacey to interpret his stage banter early until we got used to the brogue. The rest of the band was tightly wound around Stacey's Tin Whistle and James Fearnley's accordion.

Every few songs, MacGowan would take a break, stumble off stage and let another singer take over. The group played almost every song I wanted to hear. By the end, it felt less like a concert and more like a night at the pub with 1,000 people singing along. It was 95 minutes of greatness.

• Streams of Whiskey
• If I Should Fall from Grace with God
• Tuesday Morning
• The Broad Majestic Shannon
• Thousands are Sailing
• Poor Paddy
• Repeal the Licensing laws
• Sick Bed of Chunhuliann
• Sunny Side of the Street
• Dirty of Old
• The Irish Rover
• A pair of brown eyes
• A Rainy Night in Soho
• The Old Main Drag
• Sally MacLennane