The Session: RTE 1987/Channel 4’s 1989 Landmark Series Uniting Over 100 Musicians in Groundbreaking Collaborations
The Session was a groundbreaking music series broadcast on Channel 4 in 1989 co-produced by RTÉ (Ireland), running weekly from its launch on 10 May 1989 throught to the end of 1989.
It was also a series that ran in Ireland on RTÉ previous to Channel 4.
The Origin – RTÉ's "The Session" (1987)
The legendary performance featuring The Pogues, The Dubliners, and Joe Strummer originated on RTÉ's "The Session" in late 1987. Recorded at the SFX venue in Dublin, this Irish-produced show captured a unique cultural moment: Strummer (of The Clash) joined The Pogues for punk anthems like "I Fought the Law," while The Pogues and The Dubliners delivered raucous collaborations on Irish standards like "The Irish Rover" and "Sally MacLennane." This footage became iconic, embodying the spirit of 1980s folk-punk fusion. At the time, it was solely an RTÉ production with no direct link to UK broadcaster Channel 4.
Channel 4's Reuse – May/June, 1989 and The Christmas Special, 1989
Two years later, Channel 4 did broadcast a segment of this RTÉ footage – but not the full episode. In 1989, Channel 4 launched its own unrelated music series, also titled "The Session," focusing on folk and roots music which ran from the 10 May. For its "Christmas Session" special (aired December 30, 1989), producers compiled highlights, including the Pogues/Dubliners collaboration on "Sally MacLennane" from the 1987 RTÉ recording. This selective reuse created lasting confusion: viewers saw the performance under Channel 4's branding, leading many to mistakenly associate the entire 1987 event with Channel 4 or assume the full show was rebroadcast.
Clarifying the Distinction
Critically, Channel 4 only aired the Pogues/Dubliners segment – not Joe Strummer's performances or the complete RTÉ episode. Strummer's collaborations with The Pogues ("I Fought the Law," "London Calling") remained exclusive to the original RTÉ broadcast. The two "Session" series were distinct: RTÉ's was Irish-produced (1981–1987), while Channel 4's was a UK show (1989–1991) that occasionally mined archival gems like this for specials. Thus, while Channel 4 did televise the Pogues/Dubliners "Sally MacLennane" in 1989, this was a curated clip within a new compilation – not a rebroadcast of the full 1987 RTÉ Session featuring Strummer. The persistence of this footage online further blurs the lines, but the broadcasts themselves remained separate events.
Channlel 4 series of The Session
The programme was commissioned by Channel 4’s then-head of music, Michael Grade, and co-produced with Irish broadcaster RTÉ, and aired weekly in a late-night slot. (RTÉ had broadcast their own 'The Session' in Ireland previously).
Grade conceived Channel 4's version as a unique musical experiment, the series brought together more than 100 musicians from Ireland and across the globe, challenging them to collaborate outside their usual genres and perform in new and unexpected ways. Each episode was devoted to a different style, from rock and roll to Nashville country, and from soul to jazz, ensuring a varied and eclectic programme.
The debut episode in May 1989 of The Session featuring headline performances by The Pogues, The Dubliners, and Joe Strummer of The Clash which had been broadast on RTÉ in 1987. Theer' sno evidence it included 'I Fought the Law' or 'London Calling' recorded by RTÉ.
Channel 4s series continued with other standout collaborations, such as Elvis Costello teaming up with Matt Molloy of The Chieftains, providing viewers with unique combinations and performances not found elsewhere.
The final episode on Channel 4 aired on 21 June 1989, concluding a celebrated run that was widely praised for its innovative spirit, genre-crossing creativity, and the adventurous musicianship of all involved.
Channel 4s The Session was highly regarded for its willingness to break down traditional musical barriers. By encouraging established artists to step outside their comfort zones and participate in new creative contexts, the series not only delighted audiences with unexpected collaborations but also demonstrated the universal language of music.
The show’s legacy remains as a testament to the power of artistic experimentation and the enduring appeal of live, genre-defying performance.
Watch
Joe Strummer guests with The Pogues on The Session, Irish TV programme in 1989 Songs: I Fought The Law & London Calling
Youtube: Open in a new window, IFtL & LC 5:51
Youtube: Open in a new window, IFtL & LC 6:00 (best)
Youtube: Open in new window, The Irish Rover
Blackmarketclash: Irish Rover. Open in new window.
Derry Journal, Entertainment: Your Weekend TV Guide, 9 October 1987, p.18
Joe Strummer's First Public Performance in Four Years
ENTERTAINMENT
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1987. PAGE 18
YOUR WEEKEND TV GUIDE
RTE 1
11.30 THE SESSION
First of eight-week series in which leading performers record a 'session' with guest musicians of their choice. Joining the London Irish Pogues and the Dubliners in his first public performance in four years, former Clash front-man, Joe Strummer.
12.30 LATE NEWS
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1989 04 28 The Kilmarnock Standard page 13 by Ian Russell
Channel 4's The Session, a new series beginning Wednesdays
WHAT'S a motley bunch like The Pogues, Joe Strummer, The Dubliners, Nanci Griffith, Elvis Costello, John Prine and Bobby Whitlock doing together?
They're all featured in Channel 4's The Session, a new series beginning Wednesdays from May 10.
The show came about after RTE invited over 100 musicians from Ireland and abroad to participate in an unique musical experience exactly a year ago.
Those who responded positively to the invitation contributed such a wide range of material, The Session which will feature a different type of music each week, came about.
From rock and roll to Nashville and from soul to jazz — it's all there over the next few Wednesday sessions.
The Session should be a particularly interesting series as those mentioned above, and many more, were all encouraged to stray from the relative safety of their chosen medium and express themselves in other music forms that they're less well accustomed to.
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1989 05 10 Cambridge Evening News page 3
THE SESSION
Channel Four, 11.45 pm: In May last year, more than 100 musicians from Ireland and abroad were invited to participate in a unique musical event.
"The Session" is the result of that experiment and over the next few weeks will feature a different type of music in each programme.
Musical styles under the spotlight will include rock and roll to the Nashville sound, and soul to jazz. All artists featured will be encouraged to depart from their normal 'safe' chosen medium and express themselves and their music in other forms.
In the first show, The Pogues join The Dubliners and Joe Strummer in what should be a musical extravaganza of tastes. There's also a musical treat in store when the great Elvis Costello teams with Matt Molley of The Chieftains.
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1989 06 07 Coventry Telgragh
Channel 4 THE SESSION
Coventry Evening Telegraph
Wed, 07 Jun 1989 · Page 19
Channel 4
11.45 THE SESSION. Featuring The Pogues, The Dubliners and former Clash leader Joe Strummer in concert.
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1989 06 07 The Guardian page 48
Channel 4 The Session
Channel 4
11.45 The Session. Latest music special from RTE features The Pogues and The Dubliners, performing live together for the first time — plus former Clash man Joe Strummer.
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1989 06 07 The_Northern_Echo_North_Durham_ed 2
CHANNEL 4 THE SESSION
CHANNEL 4
11.45 THE SESSION: A great night in prospect as The Pogues are joined onstage by The Dubliners and Joe Strummer steps up to lead a couple of old Clash numbers.
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