The Pogues fuse Irish folk instrumentation with punk energy, led by the poetic grit of Shane MacGowan. Captured at the BBC during their formative breakthrough, BBC Sessions 1984–1985 documents blistering radio performances from The John Peel Show, The David “Kid” Jensen Show, and The Janice Long Show. These raw, in-studio takes highlight the band’s raucous chemistry, tin whistle and accordion drive, and streetwise romance—essential listening for fans of Celtic punk, folk-rock, and alternative music. A Record Store Day 2020 limited edition, it bottles the immediacy and cultural impact of The Pogues as they reshaped British indie with traditional Irish roots and punk attitude.

• Artist: The Pogues
• Format: Vinyl
• Release Type: Live Sessions / BBC Recordings
• Genre: Celtic Punk, Folk Rock, Alternative
• Label: BBC / RSD Release

• Edition: Record Store Day 2020, Limited Edition
• Audio: Sourced from original BBC radio session recordings
Add Notes from the release: Performances recorded for The John Peel Show, The David “Kid” Jensen Show, and The Janice Long Show, showcasing early-era Pogues in raw, high-energy arrangements.

• Media: 1× LP, 12-inch
• Packaging: Standard jacket

The Pogues formed in London in the early 1980s, blending traditional Irish folk with the velocity of punk and the lyrical bite of frontman Shane MacGowan. Their sound—driven by banjo, tin whistle, accordion, and snarling vocals—brought Irish storytelling to alternative audiences worldwide. Celebrated for anthems like “Dirty Old Town,” “The Sick Bed of Cúchulainn,” and “Fairytale of New York,” the band became a defining voice of Celtic punk, influencing generations of folk-punk and indie artists. The Pogues’ BBC sessions are prized for their unvarnished passion and on-the-spot intensity, capturing the group at a pivotal moment as they carved a unique place in 1980s British music culture.