There were wrought iron railings bolted around the stage to protect the stage and band members for what is usually an energetically and enthusiastically moshing crowd which usually shows up for Mahones shows in Lethbridge.
The Delinquints were pure unadulterated Sex Pistols style punk with guitar solos and a lot of energy. They played tight and warmed up the crowd for the Popes.
The Irish Celtic punk pioneers, the Popes, turned the Slice into a Celtic kitchen party with some furious fiddle playing, magnificent mandolin and punk energy.
The 50 something singer Paul (Mad Dog) McGuinness, who used to play with the Pogues, and who formed the band with Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan after they kicked MacGowan out of the band, was in his element jumping around the stage like a man half his age, balancing on the railings and bouncing off amps. He invited the audience on stage to sing the popular Pogues song “Dirty Old Town” and brought Delinquints drummer Julien “Whitefro” LeFevre on stage for a couple freestyle raps. McGuinness was every bit a real and honest punk gentleman who put on an excellent show.
In between sets, Ray Gange spun old school punk and rockabilly records to keep the crowd moving.
The Mahones, trimmed down to accordion, bass, drums and Finny McConnell on guitar and vocals, jumped right into an energetic set, and though the lyrics were often drowned out by the band. They played one of my favourites, “One Last Shot” as well as other popular Mahones tracks like “County Down” and “The Queen and Tequila.” “Drunken Lazy Bastard” was a fitting end to a fantastic show.
Compared to previous Mahones shows, this crowd was really laid back.
—By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor