Dropkick Murphys – Live in 2024

Celtic Punk Is Alive and Well – With Dropkick Murphys

It was a brisk Wednesday night on October 16th in Calgary, but was greeted with the big welcoming marquee of the Big Four Building with Dropkick Murphys, Pennywise and The Scratch all lit up!

For those just tuning in, The Big Four, situated on The Calgary Stampede Fairgrounds, has hosted legendary acts like Kevin Costner, Melissa Etheridge, and Slayer. Known as the ideal venue for bringing people together, it was specifically designed to create an intimate atmosphere perfect for live performances. Now, on to the main event.

The night kicked off with an explosive performance from The Scratch, a folk-metal powerhouse from Dublin. Known for their unique blend of Irish traditional music, rock, and metal, they took the stage with infectious energy, opening with “Cheeky Bastard”. This first track set a charged tone that carried through the entire night.

A standout moment in their set came from drummer Daniel Lang, who played on an unconventional “drum kit” that looked like a beach cooler. Lang transformed this unique setup into a powerful rhythm machine, delivering raw, rhythmic energy with impressive precision. The cooler drum – one of the quirkiest and most inventive kits seen on stage – was handled with such flair that it seemed effortless, adding a memorable twist to their performance that delighted fans.

The Scratch’s set was relentless, packed with high-energy riffs, tight harmonies, and their unmistakable Irish folk-metal flair. Added as a last-minute guest on the tour in August, they proved themselves more than worthy of the spot, setting a high standard for the rest of the evening. They didn’t just warm up the crowd; they ignited it, paving the way for an unforgettable night.

Next up was the legendary Pennywise, a band that needs no introduction and could have headlined in their own right, which they did when they last rocked Calgary on their anniversary tour in 2018, and this time, they returned with even more energy. Led by the iconic Jim Lindberg, they delivered exactly what fans expected – a thrilling reminder that punk is alive and well.

Pennywise paid tribute to some punk classics, covering NOFX’s “The Brews” and “Kill All the White Man”, as well as Bad Religion’s “Do What You Want”, ensuring the crowd was primed and ready for the night’s main event, Dropkick Murphys.

After a quick set change, The Boys were certainty back as The Dropkick Murphys took the stage, with Ken Casey leading the charge. Wasting no time, Casey leaped into the pit, reaching out to the fans who had waited all night in the front rows, electrifying the sea of faces with an unforgettable welcome. With a beaming smile, Casey set the tone for a night of punk rock anthems that demand to be heard live, promising a fun-filled, high-energy experience.

Each song in their set was carefully chosen to showcase exactly what makes Dropkick Murphys who they are. Tracks like “The Warrior’s Code”, “Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced”, and with “The Spicy McHaggis Jig” backed by full bagpipes, filling The Big Four with an energy that transported fans to a St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the heart of Boston.

To close out the night, the Murphys pulled out all the stops with their iconic “Shipping Up to Boston”, delivering it with as much passion and intensity as if it were the night’s opening song. “Cadence to Arms”.

Their electrifying vocals and commanding stage presence kept the crowd fully engaged, ensuring fans left the venue riding a collective high. As their North American tour wraps up on October 27th in Massachusetts, this is an experience that truly shouldn’t be missed!