Shane MacGowan sneered at the audience, baring his distinctive snaggled teeth. With his doughy face and plug ears, he looked like a heavyweight swaying in his corner as the bell for the 15th round sounded for the last time. Fumbling for the bottle of spirits at his feet, he eventually gave up the job and headed backstage to fetch another. From an outdoor stage in Thurles, Tipperary, MacGowan then launched into Ewan MacColl’s “Dirty Old Town,” his wise, raspy baritone sounding every bit as full as on the record. The entire stadium sang as one, slightly slurred voice.

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Persons: Shane MacGowan sneered, baring, MacGowan, Ewan MacColl’s “, ” Organizations: Tipperary Locations: Thurles, Ireland