Originally scheduled to accommodate the possibility of a Game 7 that would’ve been on November 1st, the Dropkick Murphys were ready to ride it out with the Boston Red Sox if it came down to that. Fortunately the Sox swept it in 4 games, and the Murphys no longer had to worry about performing jet lagged in Los Angeles after a Game 7. I was lucky enough to catch them on that electric night, still pumped from the Red Sox’s sweep and the honor of playing in the parade through the streets of Boston in the days following.
Being a fan of both the Dropkick Murphys, and the Boston Red Sox, I knew the Murphys would be overflowing with energy with their first show post-World Series. I was absolutely blown away, to say the least, at the raw energy and electricity created by them that night. Over the hour and a half of their set, they covered their entire catalog, from classics like Do or Die’s “Barroom Hero” and “Boys On The Docks”, to the widely recognized song from The Departed “I’m Shipping Up To Boston”, and new songs from The Meanest of Times to include “(F)lannigan’s Ball” and the very catchy “Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya”.
Of the Dropkick Murphys shows that I have been to thus far, this one was taken to an entirely new level. They always put on an amazing show, but the energy shown on this night was extraordinary. The Murphys gave at the very least a 110%, beginning their set with the first track from The Meanest of Times, “Famous For Nothing”. Once the crowd heard the opening sound of a school bell, they went wild and from that point on they sang out their hearts to each and every song from beginning to end. Tearing through the set filled with everything from the ballad’s “Forever” and “Fields of Athenry” to the full on punk onslaught in “Shattered” and “Citizen C.I.A.”, the Dropkick Murphys prove time and time again that they will be around for a long time. The guitar work from Marc Orrell and James Lynch was plain out ridiculous. As they hit every note while singing their hearts out, Marc and James’ expressions exposed a drive and passion within them that isn’t seen very often in bands. Al Barr and Ken Casey’s flawless vocal performance was especially recognizable on “Forever” as the emotion poured into the song from the band, as well as the crowd who sang their hearts out right back at them.
As always, the Dropkick Murphys closed their night with the crowd pouring on the stage for “Skinhead on the MBTA”, and ended one of the best performances that I have been to in years. Whether you’re a fan of their entire catalog or only know them from The Departed, the Dropkick Murphys live show is so full of raw energy that you can’t help but want more and more as you leave for the night, wired and ready to sing until your voice is completely gone.
