A wide range of music stars — from global icons to rising Irish artists — have come together to honour the legacy of Shane MacGowan on a major tribute album featuring reinterpretations of some of his most celebrated songs.
The project, titled 20th Century Paddy - The Songs of Shane MacGowan, will see artists including Bruce Springsteen, Hozier, Damien Dempsey, Glen Hansard, Tom Waits and The Pogues reinterpret songs from MacGowan’s influential catalogue.
The album has been announced by Victoria Mary Clarke, MacGowan’s widow, alongside Dublin label Rubyworks, and is scheduled for release on 13 November 2026.
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The first single — a new version of the beloved Pogues classic A Rainy Night in Soho — is performed by Springsteen, marking one of the most high-profile contributions to the project.
In a tribute accompanying the release, Springsteen described MacGowan as a singular artistic voice whose songwriting would endure for generations.
“Shane was all naked bottomless humanity. Threatening to force us to ask ourselves if we were living deeply, authentically. He was raw, hilarious, no apologies and profound. His soul was filled with the transgressive and ecstatic properties of the saints.”
The title of the tribute record itself has a personal origin. According to Clarke, “20th Century Paddy” was a phrase MacGowan had long intended to use for an album of his own, making it a fitting name for a project celebrating his work.
MacGowan, who was born in 1957 and died in 2023, is widely regarded as one of the most influential Irish songwriters of the modern era. As the frontman and chief lyricist of The Pogues, he fused traditional Irish folk with punk energy during the 1980s, creating a sound that resonated far beyond Ireland and the UK.
Songs such as Fairytale of New York, A Rainy Night in Soho and Dirty Old Town became defining tracks of the band’s catalogue and helped cement MacGowan’s reputation as a uniquely poetic storyteller, blending humour, melancholy and Irish cultural references.
Beyond his work with The Pogues, MacGowan also recorded with The Popes and collaborated with a wide range of artists over the years, including Nick Cave, Sinéad O’Connor and Johnny Depp.
The new tribute album reflects that far-reaching influence. Alongside internationally recognised names like Springsteen, Primal Scream, The Libertines and Dropkick Murphys, the project also features a strong lineup of Irish artists.
These include Lisa O'Neill, Mundy, Picture This, LYRA, The Murder Capital, The High Kings, and a special collaboration between Hozier and Jessie Buckley.
Other contributors include Kate Moss, Steve Earle, David Gray, Garron Noone, Camille O’Sullivan and Liam Ó Maonlaí, among many others.
In addition to celebrating MacGowan’s musical legacy, the project will also support a cause that was close to the singer’s heart. 50% of artist royalties from the album will be donated to Dublin Simon Community, which provides housing and support services for people experiencing homelessness.
The organisation said MacGowan had long supported its work and was known for his empathy towards people sleeping rough in Dublin.
MacGowan also performed at the Christmas Eve Busk in 2021, a charity event supporting the organisation that ultimately became his final live performance.
The tribute album will arrive as a multi-format release, including a deluxe edition featuring three LPs, two CDs and a 56-page book filled with memorabilia, photographs and liner notes reflecting on MacGowan’s life and work.
With contributions spanning generations of musicians and genres, the project aims to underline the enduring impact of MacGowan’s songwriting — and the unique role his music continues to play in Ireland’s cultural story.
Here's the full line-up of the 33 artists that have so far been announced.
- Amble
- Bruce Springsteen
- Camille O’Sullivan
- Cronin
- Damien Dempsey
- David Gray
- Dropkick Murphys
- Garron Noone
- Glen Hansard
- Hozier & Jessie Buckley
- Johnny Depp & Imelda May
- Johnny Mac and The Faithful
- Kate Moss
- Liam Ó Maonlaí
- Lisa Moorish & Another Day
- Lisa O'Neill
- LYRA
- Madra Salach
- Moya Brennan
- Mundy
- Picture This
- Pinch of Snuff
- Primal Scream
- Steve Earle
- The High Kings
- The Jesus and Mary Chain
- The Libertines
- The Murder Capital
- The Pogues
- Tom Waits
