Dropkick Murphys House of Blues in Boston Ma House of Blues Boston March 17

It's been two very long years in the making in since the pandemic began riddling holes in everyone's concert shows and tours. St. Patrick's Day in Boston, MA hasn't been the same since its beloved sons were unable to take the stage, but this year, the boys are back! The moment before the band took the stage for the sold out concert, was the calm before the storm. It went completely dark inside of The House of Blues Boston as Sinéad O'Connor & The Chief's song, "The Foggy Dew" echoed throughout the venue, while a cloudy white Dropkick Murphys banner lit the back stage. The darkness gave way to a spotlit, solo bagpiper playing the "Cadence To Arms" and the crowd erupted as Boston's favorite sons took the stage. Asking the crowd if they were ready for some old school, the band rolled right into "Do or Die" as an electrified crowd rejoiced at their return. After that, front man Ken Casey, took a few moments to remind the crowd that if anyone wanted to, "act a fool to take there antics up the street to some other ****hole bar." He also announced that this free live stream, produced by Pega, had already raised over $25k for their foundation The Claddagh Fund, before they even took the stage. In addition, the stage was decorated with a large number of Ukraine flags on speakers and equipment, showing their support for the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. They then ripped into a barrage of their classic DKM hits. Many times with Ken completely leaving the stage and walking on the barricade wall that separated them from the crowd, walking cat like with the help of their fans along with continuously pointing the microphone into the crowd and to individual fans. Even micing up the crowd surfers as the rolled forward through the crowd.

It was clear from the start that the band was down one prominent member of the band, lead singer Al Barr, who was at home tending to his mother, Ingrid Barr, who had just had a stroke, asking for prayers and continued well wishes. A fan brought a life size cutout of Al that they brought on stage saying he was with them in spirit.

DKM sprinkled songs from their new album, Turn Up That Dial throughout their set, all while parading their openers on stage to assist them. The Boston based solo performer, Jessie Ahern came on stage to sing "Caught in a Jar." The energetic lead singer from the band from down under (Australia), the Rumjacks, Mike Rivkees assisted with "Body of an American." While the smoking hot lead singer of the Bombpops from San Diego, CA, Jen Razavi sang along with "The Dirty Glass." But the band wasn't done there. At the encore they brought two young boys toting derbys and raspy Ken like voices on stage to assist with "Worker's Song" before closing with " Shipping up to Boston." It was an amazing night finishing with confetti raining down on a crowd full of loyal fans.

This St. Patrick's Day show was the first of 4 sold out shows that will be played back to back nights in Boston. Two more shows Friday and Saturday at House of Blues Boston and Sunday at Roadrunner. You can check out the pure energy of this show from the live stream at youtube.com/dropkickmurphys

The Rumjacks