Venue: TD Bank Garden
Review by: Micah Gummel
Photos by: Micah Gummel
More Show Photos: HERE
Meet the Dropkick Murphys:
Al Barr- Lead Vocals
Ken Casey- Lead Vocals and Bass
Matt Kelly- Drums, Bodran, Vocals
James Lynch- Guitar, Vocals
Tim Brennan- Guitar, Accordian, Vocals
Jeff Da Rosa- Mandolin, Banjo, Bouzouki, Whistle, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals.
Scruffy Wallace- Bagpipes and Tin Whistle.
Dropkick Murphys Tour 2013 at TD Garden – Boston
The Dropkick Murphys (american punk-rockers) have a truly amazing history behind them. In the 17 or so years since the Dropkicks were founded, they have released 8 studio albums. The latest, “Signed and Sealed in Blood. Blending punk rock riffs with folk-style arrangements, the Dropkicks have gained a reputation as local legends for their blue collar worker themes and patronage of professional Boston sports teams; every highlight reel of the 2007 Red Sox World Series’ Championship is sure to feature closer Jonathan Papelbon doing a drunken step-dance to the Dropkicks’ most well-known anthem, Shippin’ up to Boston, in the outfield.
The packed audience this night at the TD Garden came to see the Dropkicks and how they delivered! The audience was shouting, “Let’s – go Mur-phys!” (Clap Clap Clap) “Let’s – go Mur-phys!” (Clap Clap Clap) “Let’s – go Mur-phys!” (Clap Clap Clap)
The anticipation turned into a frenzy. Then the lights went out and the curtains opened. The Dropkicks killed it with “Cadence to Arms” During this song group of Irish men walked on to the stage playing their bag pipes wearing Boston Bruins jerseys and Scottish kilt skirts. Next group of Celtic dancers dressed in vibrant sparkling Irish dresses performed a few flawless routines.
Then leading in to “The Boys Are Back” Al was running horizontally back and forth at the front of the stage, getting psychic up. Al jumped onto small addition in front of stage to greet their fans and play the tune. Ken Casey’s, daughter is a member the dance group. Before she could get off the stage after the last routine Ken called her over to stand by his side as he says to the fans “the best thing about being in a band is my daughter gets to do things like this.” He kissed her on the cheek and she scurried off the stage. (Precious moment).
Then onward and upward the Dropkicks delivered there sound and energy for the next hour plus from the moment they hit the stage, it was fast, loud, and non-stop, the band moving rapidly from one song to another! About half way through the show they played “Your Spirit’s Alive” dedicated to their good friend Greg “Chickenman” Riley who died in a motorcycle accident in 2004. Followed by a track from their recently released album Signed and Sealed in Blood “Jimmy Collins’ Wake,” Jimmy Collin’s was a professional baseball player a first icon of the town. The crowed was roaring with excitement mosh pits, fist pumping, singing along etc. Strobe lights everywhere a considerable amount of green lighting was used due to the holiday, even the drum set lite up green! Surprise guest beautiful Nora Parkington was called to the stage to sing the female vocals of “The Dirty Glass.” Her fun sassy personality on the stage and good vocals made the song more appealing than is already was. Gearing toward the end of the show “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” was incredible to watch. They let the Boston crowd sing the song as a massive amount of white and green confetti filled the air and come down over the crowd. While the crowd shouted for an encore, the Dropkick Murphy’s raided the Bruin’s lockers. Ken Casey came back on stage with wearing a Bruin’s jersey. The first encore “Kiss me, I’m Shitfaced” Ken went into the crowd and sang with all their fans. It was a great moment to watch the fans were swarming over him and he was just singing, smiling and enjoying life. Going out with a bang the Dropkick’s rocked ACDC’s song “TNT.” All in all guys and gals if you have not been to a Dropkick show what are you waiting for?
Set List:
The Foggy Dew
Cadence to Arms
The Boys Are Back
Burn
Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya
Prisoner’s Song
Fields of Athenry
Homeward Bound
Your Spirit’s Alive
Out On The Town
Citizen C.I.A.
Jimmy Collins’ Wake
Worker’s Song (Acoustic)
The Battle Rages On
The Dirty Glass (with Nora Parkington)
Going Out In Style
My Hero
Out of Our Heads
The Warrior’s Code
Rose Tattoo
The Irish Rover
Barroom Hero
I’m Shipping Up to Boston
Encore:
Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced
TNT – AC/DC cover
Check Out The Show Photos