Joe Pug

There must be dozens of “Joe Pugs” out there, criss-crossing American in the tradition of Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan and Nebraska-era Springsteen. What marks this Chicago-based troubadour out is his authenticity, combined with a batch of genuinely strong songs (mostly from his only album to date, The Messenger). Irish audiences have clearly taken him to heart judging by the near full house tonight (an affable stage persona clearly doesn’t do him any harm either). He looks every bit the part, in a plaid shirt with harmonica strapped around his shoulder, his guitar held high like a young Johnny Cash. The songs are poetic, evocative and timeless with favourites like ‘Hymn 101’, ‘Bury Me Far (From My Uniform’) and ‘Unsophisticated Heart’ sung poignantly, his eyes half-closed. The limitations of the lone guitar and voice begin to show towards the end. A full band affair would be nice. Still, the momentum held and he encored with a Springsteen-esque new song, the rapturous applause it received guaranteeing his return.