The Pogues in Utrecht

The Pogues are an Anglo-Irish folk-punk band formed in 1982. Their music sets Irish folk melodies and instruments against punk-rock rhythms, and their best-known recordings include “Fairytale of New York” with Kirsty MacColl, “Dirty Old Town” and “Streams of Whiskey.” Key albums include Rum Sodomy & the Lash and If I Should Fall from Grace with God. In 1984, The Pogues supported The Clash on tour, and Joe Strummer later fronted the band on a 1991 tour after Shane MacGowan’s departure. The group reunited with MacGowan in 2001 and returned to touring; later festival appearances included British Summer Time Hyde Park in 2014. After the reunion, The Pogues repeatedly returned to London and Dublin for Christmas concerts.

Stick in the Wheel are an English folk group formed in East London by Nicola Kearey and Ian Carter. They recast traditional English songs through direct vocals, guitar, percussion and electronics, and are known for albums including From Here, Follow Them True and Endurance Soundly Caged. Stick in the Wheel have performed at Glastonbury Festival and Cambridge Folk Festival, bringing their treatment of English folk song to major British festival audiences. Their concerts centre on Kearey’s lead vocal and Carter’s guitar and electronics, a format they have also presented at Celtic Connections.