The Pogues – 40th Anniversary Tour

Bluesfest Tours Announces The Pogues Rum, Sodomy & the Lash 40th Anniversary

Bringing the spirit of Bluesfest to stages across New Zealand, Bluesfest Tours are proud to present one of next year’s most anticipated Bluesfest artists - The Pogues, who will perform three New Zealand sideshows nationwide, celebrating 40 years of their iconic album Rum, Sodomy & the Lash.

Now, for the first time in 35 years, The Pogues return to New Zealand to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of their seminal album Rum, Sodomy & the Lash — performed in full alongside beloved favourites.

Featuring original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer and Spider Stacy, this special line-up unites acclaimed guest vocalists Daragh Lynch, Iona Zajac, John Francis Flynn, bringing one of folk-punk’s most influential albums back to life. Ranked among Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, the 1985 classic features A Pair of Brown Eyes, Dirty Old Town, and A Rainy Night in Soho.

The Pogues are just one of the many world-class artists performing as part of Australia’s Bluesfest 2026 line-up, who have collectively sold tens of millions of albums, earned multiple GRAMMY Awards and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honours, and defined generations of live music.

The Pogues’ New Zealand tour and Bluesfest return promise a rousing, soul-stirring celebration of one of modern music’s most enduring legacies.