Review: Skinny Lister at The Engine Rooms, Southampton, December 8, 2023

If Shane MacGowan had been a pirate instead of a Pogue, he might have come up with something like Skinny Lister.

On the day of the Irish singer’s funeral, his influence was clear as the Greenwich band took Southampton’s Engine Rooms by storm with their own special brand of Shanty Punk, also the name of their excellent new album.

The Pogues paved the way for so many folk punk bands who might never have thrived – or even existed – without them.

You could even sometimes hear MacGowan in lead singer Dan Heptinstall as he powered through the high-octane 75-minute set.

The tempo was turned up even higher by his co-lead singer, the livewire Lorna Thomas who kept the crowd jumping as she bounced around the stage in her trademark floral catsuit and heels.

Her vibrant energy was infectious as the band powered through old favourites like Wanted and Rattle & Roar to new classics including the superb Company of the Bar and Mantra.

After a blistering four-song opening, there was a welcome pause for breath with Colours before the pace picked up once more.

Heptinstall might have been slightly optimistic asking if there was anyone from Newcastle in the venue before going into the ever-popular Geordie Lad.

But there was a better audience response to Thomas drinking from a flagon before passing it into the crowd for fans to take a swig.

I have no idea what was in it but judging by even a small sip it was pretty potent – and it certainly fuelled the fire on and off stage as they powered through favourites such as Damn the Amsterdam, John Kanaka and This is War.

The only minor disappointment was leaving out a cover of Fairytale of New York which would have provided a fitting finale on the day MacGowan was laid to rest – though his spirit lives on in Skinny Lister and many more like them.