Review: JD Garrahy
Photography: Dan Maynard

Pull out your Boston best, fill your glass with a hearty stout and prepare yourself for a memorable night with the finest of Celtic Punk tunes. This is Dropkick Murphys and there is no one that does this better than the boys from Boston.

When this tour was announced, we were more than surprised that joining them would be Chicago’s own Alkaline Trio. Its been a while since they’ve graced our shores, and by the looks of the crowd tonight, adorned in their vintage A3 shirts, there’s nothing but love for these 90’s punk rock pioneers.

Kicking things straight off the bat with Time To Waste & We’ve Had Enough, it’s not too long before bodies are thrashing and voices are screaming the lyrics at full volume.

You can see why there’s such an outpouring of love for this band. Now, given that there is a LOT of back catalogue to get through, this seems like a very easy task for A3, touching on tracks from not only their 2000 release Maybe I’ll Catch Fire, but right through to their latest offering Blood, Hair & Eyeballs.

Giving the crowd every bit of energy and enthusiasm they have in the supply, the A3 lads deliver one of the greatest sets I’ve ever witnessed. I for one would love to see these guys have their own headline tour down here, and you know what? It would be fucking incredible.

If you have ever been a fan of ANY era of Dropkick Murphys, then you know exactly what you’re in for when it comes to their live shows. High energy, raucous sing-a-longs and an overwhelming desire to get fuck-eyed drunk with your best mates. It’s an absolutely incredible experience and one that sets up shop in your memory banks for the rest of your life.

Given we haven’t seen the fellas here for a headline tour since 2017, they’re back to show off their latest tunes from Okemah Rising, This Machine Still Kills Fascists and Turn Up That Dial, while still keeping the setlist hefty with their classic tunes (but seriously, give me a whole set of Guthrie tunes and i’d be pretty damn happy). Murphys are well known for their hefty set lists and tonight, the final night of the down under tour, is no different. This is massive to say the least. Let me try to give you a scope of just how huge this is.

When you punch straight into The Boys Are Back and follow it up with The State of Massachusetts, the crowd is sure to respond in a positive manner. Oh, hell yes, we did indeed! How do you keep this momentum going through the whole set though, I hear you ask. Well, when you’ve been doing this for near on 30 years, you get to learn a thing or two about how to keep your fans engaged. Murphys have got this down pat and hit a trio of brilliance with Barroom Hero, The Hardest Mile and Rose Tattoo back-to-back. My god, I have missed this band live so fucking much.

It wouldn’t be a Murphys set without a cover or two, tonight sees us gifted with the brilliant Pete St. John belter The Fields Of Athenry. It’s truly mesmerising to see such accomplished musicians take tracks like this and really make it their own. Let’s touch on the musicianship of these fine gents, shall we? Tim Brennan on the accordion is always the highlight for any Murphys show for me.

The fact he can go from a solo upon the keys straight to killing on the fretboard leaves me awestruck every time. Do some research and find out just how many other instruments he can play, it’s incredible. This is not to dismiss the talent of the rest of the band, I am just always gobsmacked by just how amazing Tim performs his parts.

Now, Ken Casey is a legend in the Celtic punk scene. Even after stepping down from bass duties with DKM, he still manages to bring a raw energy to every show and gives 110% to the dedicated fanbase that DKM treats like family.

From Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya, right through to Rose Tattoo, his voice never falters. You couple all this with his amazing stage presence, and banter with the audience, and you know that you’re standing in the same room as an absolute punk rock living legend.

Rounding out tonight’s show was not an easy feat and the perfect songs had to be selected for the encore. But not before a brilliant rendition of Kiss Me I’m Shitfaced to close out the main set. As I mentioned before, when you’ve got almost 30 years’ experience, you learn a thing or two. Digging deep and delivering I’m Shipping Up to Boston & Worker’s Song back-to-back to thunderous applause, the Murphys have certainly left a hefty mark on all our memories this evening. The Forty has never been more alive with such a positive feeling than what DKM and A3 have offered us tonight.

Departing The Forty, the overwhelming urge to duck into Finn McCool’s across the mall is overwhelming, let me tell you though, I’m not the only one that had this thought. God speed DKM and safe travels, many a pint shall be raised in your honour on this night. In the words of my Irish forefathers “Sláinte”