Dropkick Murphys rocked Boston with four days of shows, building up to a high-energy St. Patrick’s Day finale just steps from Fenway Park.
Boston radiates pride year-round, but as St. Patrick’s Day approaches, the city transforms into a sea of green. Tradition runs deep, from the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade—an annual event since 1901, with Irish roots dating back to the 1700s—to the city’s undeniable love for Paddy’s Day celebrations. For Bostonians, the holiday is as familiar as ordering a “regular” iced coffee and a donut from the corner Dunks while mapping out the ultimate post-parade pub crawl. But no tradition embodies Boston’s Paddy’s Day spirit quite like Dropkick Murphys‘ annual show, so iconic that their March 17th performance is streamed live for fans who couldn’t score tickets.
Dropkick Murphys have been hosting their legendary St. Patrick’s Day shows since the late ‘90s, kicking things off with an unforgettable performance at The Rathskeller (The Rat) near Kenmore Station. Each year, fans travel into the city, many determined to attend every show on the lineup. This year was no exception.
Our DKM Paddy’s Day experience landed on the third night of a packed run. The band had already played two sold-out shows at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway and hosted a family-friendly afternoon set and meet-and-greet, promising to “turn down the volume and the curse words” for the kids. Children under 13 got in free, and all proceeds supported DKM’s Claddagh Fund, which aids underfunded nonprofits in helping the community’s most vulnerable.
By the time we arrived, Lansdowne Street was buzzing. The line stretched down Lansdowne and Ipswich, packed with fans draped in green, sporting kilts, and even rocking green-dyed Mohawks. From the bars across the street, you could hear singing and laughter as people kicked off their Paddy’s Day celebrations. Though some may have been running on fumes from previous nights, the energy was undeniable. Dropkick Murphys had put out the rallying cry, and their fans answered—what better place to celebrate than MGM Music Hall at Fenway? There’s nothing more Boston than standing in line with the Green Monster and Citgo sign towering overhead.
Doors opened at 6 PM, welcoming fans with a merch table stacked with posters, shirts, hoodies, and jerseys. One standout was the “Sipping Up To Boston” Dunks-inspired T-shirt. Another was a blue shirt sold specifically to raise funds for Ukraine. As with any great punk band, DKM doesn’t shy away from global issues—they’ve been championing the working class and standing against injustice since day one.
Opening the night was Boston’s own Rebuilder, a must-see for any punk fan. The second they hit the stage, the energy erupted, setting the perfect tone for what was to come. If you’re into old-school ‘90s and early 2000s alternative skate punk, these guys are for you—think Blink-182 but grittier, with an edge that makes you want to move. They’d fit seamlessly on the upcoming Vans Warped Tour, where Dropkick Murphys will be playing the Long Beach, California date.
Their setlist pulled from both their 2015 debut album, Rock & Roll in America, and their 2023 release, Local Support. The latter is a nostalgic nod to the band’s roots and the punk scene’s tight-knit camaraderie—bringing back memories of carefree days when it was all about the music and good times with friends. The crowd clearly had a strong local following, singing along to tracks like “Stayin’ Alive” from Local Support and “Le Grand Fromage” from Rock & Roll in America.
Rebuilder’s high-energy performance was the perfect warm-up for what was shaping up to be an unforgettable night. Their sound was tight, their presence was commanding, and they left no doubt that Boston’s punk scene is alive and well.
Hot Water Music took the stage next, and from the crowd’s chanting, it was clear that the night’s momentum wasn’t slowing down. Formed in the mid-’90s in Gainesville, Florida, the band has built a reputation for their intricate rhythms and post-hardcore punk energy. While often associated with alternative skate punk, their sound leans more into raw, anthemic punk rock—gritty yet powerful.
Throughout their career, Hot Water Music has taken breaks to explore other projects but always returns stronger than ever. With a catalog spanning 13 albums, they’ve consistently evolved without losing the fire that makes them stand out. A notable moment of the night was seeing drummer George Rebelo back behind the kit—not only did he just finish a set with Bouncing Souls, but he’s also the driving force behind Hot Water Music’s thunderous percussion.
The band launched into their set at full intensity with “Remedy” from their 2002 album Caution, instantly igniting the crowd. From there, they powered through a career-spanning setlist, including “Menace” and “Burn Forever” from their latest album, Vows (2024). Hot Water Music has always forged their own identity, but if you’re looking for comparisons, think Leatherface and Avail—that unpolished yet commanding punk spirit—blended with the anthemic hooks of The Gaslight Anthem. It’s what makes punk such an expansive genre, with countless subcultures to explore, and Hot Water Music sits right at the intersection of raw emotion and undeniable melody.
The band closed their set with the infectious “Trusty Chords” from Caution, leaving the crowd electrified—crowd-surfing and craving more. Hot Water Music’s ability to blend intensity with singalong-worthy choruses once again proved why they remain one of punk rock’s most enduring acts.
As soon as The Bouncing Souls hit the stage, the energy in the room was electric. Formed in 1989 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, they’ve become a cornerstone of East Coast punk, known for their infectious melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and high-energy performances.Lead singer Greg Attonito wasted no time getting up close to the crowd, leaning in as fans erupted in cheers. He launched into the fast-paced title track from their 1999 album Hopeless Romantic, and the crowd immediately responded with a wave of crowd surfers and a non-stop surge of energy.
The Bouncing Souls are the perfect bridge between the night’s diverse bands. With their catchy, polished pop-punk hooks, they still maintain the raw, unapologetic spirit of hardcore punk, embodying the same high-energy vibe that the opening bands brought to the stage—energy that would seamlessly fuel Dropkick Murphys’ powerhouse performance to come.
The night continued with a healthy showcase of their music catalog, including the title track from their 2023 album Ten Stories High, which featured more of that pop-punk catchiness that gets people jumping and moshing. The crowd’s energy only intensified when Attonito dedicated “East Coast F**k You,” a track that shifted from the pop-punk vibes to the more hardcore, Black Flag-inspired punk energy that further fueled the crowd’s wild enthusiasm.
The 15-song setlist wrapped up with “True Believers” from *How I Spent My Summer Vacation*, an anthem that had everyone singing along with fists raised high in the air—further cementing, 30-plus years later, The Bouncing Souls as one of the most electrifying bands in punk rock today.
As Dropkick Murphys prepared to take the stage, fans were guided to the side of the venue for a unique vantage point. The lights dimmed, and the big screen behind the band lit up with the iconic Dropkick Murphys’ logo while “The Lonesome Boatman” played over the PA. A silhouette of Campbell Webster, on bagpipes, appeared in front of the screen, setting a calming tone before quickly transitioning into the high-energy classic “The Boys Are Back” from their 2013 album Signed and Sealed in Blood.
Lead singer Ken Casey made his entrance, immediately diving into the crowd and giving fans a chance to sing along, shake his hand, and interact with him up close. The rest of the band—Tim Brennan (guitars, tin whistle, accordion, piano, vocals), Jeff DaRosa (guitars, banjo, mandolin, vocals), Matt Kelly (drums, percussion, and vocals), James Lynch (guitars and vocals), and Kevin Rheault (bass)—followed suit, matching Casey’s energy as they moved seamlessly around the stage, engaging with fans and each other, and ramping up the excitement with each song.
The night was a whirlwind of Celtic punk anthems as the band played through a range of fan favorites, including “Workers Song,” “Going Out in Style,” and “The Warrior’s Code.” They also introduced their brand-new single, “Sirens,” a powerful track that touches on current global events.
One standout moment came when Casey pulled a fan onto the stage after the fan had been crowd-surfing and recording the experience. “The kids pick on me about this, but you kids and your TikTok recordings,” Casey joked, referring to the fan’s phone. He then directed the crowd to help others get over the rail safely, playfully adding, “Put your phone away and help them get safely over the rail.” After the fan jumped back into the crowd, Casey joked, “He’s still recording!”
With a laugh, Casey commented on how great the crowd was for a Sunday night after the parade, acknowledging how sometimes the post-parade crowd can get a bit messy. “But you guys, this looks more like Davis Square at 5 PM,” he added in his thick Bostonian accent, drawing cheers and laughter from the crowd. The energy was unmistakable, with fans fully invested in every moment of the night.
The night continued with heartfelt moments, including Casey reading a letter from a soldier who had brought back a piece of shrapnel from the war in Ukraine to the band. Casey shook the man’s hand and dedicated “You’ll Never Walk Alone” to those fighting overseas. He also spoke on current events affecting the federal workforce and thanked blue-collar workers for all their hard work.
The night featured “Smash Sh*t Up”, with Tim Brennan taking center stage to showcase his accordion work. Casey reached as far as he could to get fans singing while the mosh pit circled in the middle. The entire night was a celebration of the songs that have become staples not only in the Dropkick Murphys’ catalog but also in Boston’s culture. “Tessie” goes hand-in-hand with the Red Sox, while Shipping Up to Boston and “Queen of Suffolk County” are forever linked with images of Boston being displayed on the screen. From the Red Sox to the Bruins, or even just family clips, the band proved that they are more than just a group—they embody Boston pride, and their fans know it.
The night wrapped up with “Kiss Me, I’m Sh*tfaced”, the perfect way to end a night of Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. Much like you would see in any small Irish bar in Boston, people had their arms wrapped around each other, swaying back and forth while belting out the lyrics to the song. It was a fitting end to a night of camaraderie and love for both the band and the town—a celebration of Boston pride that will be remembered long after the music stopped and the countdown begins for DKM fans for the next Paddy’s Day celebration.
DROPKICK MURPHYS
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THE BOUNCING SOULS
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