Steve Lillywhite: Making “Fairytale of New York” with Kirsty MacColl & The Pogues

Описание: In Episode #262 of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by legendary producer Steve Lillywhite — the Grammy-winning studio mastermind behind iconic records by U2, The Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, The Smiths, The Killers, Peter Gabriel, and so many more.

Steve returns to discuss the release of a brand-new 4-track EP featuring a completely unreleased live version of “Fairytale of New York” — recorded at Glasgow Barrowlands in December 1987.

This extraordinary performance captures the first time The Pogues ever played the song live, and the first time Kirsty MacColl stepped onstage to sing it. The EP is released 12 December.

Recorded by Steve himself — producer of the original version and then-husband of Kirsty MacColl — the Barrowlands tape offers a rare window into the early live life of what has become the UK’s favourite Christmas song for over a decade. First charting at No. 2 in 1987, “Fairytale of New York” has returned to the UK Top 20 every single year since 2005.

In this conversation, Steve reflects on the making of the classic track, the electricity of that night in Glasgow, and key moments from across his remarkable career working with some of the most influential artists of the last 40 years.

Hear Steve Lillywhite discuss the new EP, the legacy of “Fairytale of New York,” and the stories behind his legendary productions — exclusively on the XS Noize Podcast.

Chapters

0:00 – Opening quote: The Barrowlands tapes
0:32 – Intro
1:12 – Steve Lillywhite joins the podcast
2:13 – Discovering the Barrowlands live tape
3:47 – First ever live performance of “Fairytale of New York”
5:17 – Kirsty MacColl steps onstage
7:13 – Restoring and releasing the new EP
9:10 – The legacy of the song
12:28 – Producing legends: U2, Talking Heads, The Smiths
16:59 – Why “Fairytale” endures
17:59 – Steve on his favourite studio moments
20:43 – Human imperfection vs AI in music
22:50 – What Steve hopes people take from the new EP
23:22 – Closing thoughts
26:30 – Quickfire album memories
38:17 – What’s next for Steve Lillywhite?
38:55 – Closing thanks

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