Boston, MA – For the second straight year the Dropkick Murphys kept their St. Patrick’s Day tradition alive by streaming their annual performance to the world. This year, not only were we treated to their 25th consecutive St. Paddy’s performance, fans, new and old alike, witnessed the start of a chain reaction that will ultimately end on May 1, 2021 with their next live stream show to celebrate the release of their new album, Turn Up That Dial due to be released on April 30th.
The chain reaction started with the ominous sounding, “Lonesome Boatman” from their 2017 album, 11 Short Stories of Pain and Glory followed by an their Irish headbanging hit, “Hang ‘em High” from their 2011 album, Going Out in Style. The tone was set, the reaction had begun!
The longer the show went on, the more into it I got. As it turned out, I was not the only one pumped up by their Still Locked Down performance as my managing editor contacted me saying, “I am loving this! I love the stage setup! I mean, I am… DANCING!”. We were dancing together though 200 miles apart, how awesome is that?!
Then it dawned on me, every spectator was being given the opportunity to see the show through the eyes of the photographer in the pit. DKM played to the stream cameras like they do to the photographers at an in-person show, giving them quite a view. Unless you had already known the circumstances, you may not have realized they were only playing to the cameras while watching this performance. It felt as though I was the only one they were performing to and yet I could feel every other viewer doing the same things I was. We were all front row, shoulder to shoulder, dancing a little jig… together, while so far apart. For those who want to know how to do a stream, this show defined what good looks like!
The band, consisting of Al Barr (lead vocals), Tim Brennan (guitars, tin whistle, accordion, piano, vocals), Ken Casey (lead vocals), Jeff DaRosa (guitars, banjo, mandolin, vocals), Matt Kelly (drums, percussion, vocals), James Lynch (guitars, vocals), Kevin Rheault (touring bassist) and Lee Forshner (touring bagpipe player) provided a long playlist of hits, old and new. This set included several tunes from their upcoming album including recently released singles, “Middle Finger“, “Smash Shit Up” (one of my favorites from the soon to be released album), and “Mick Jones Nicked My Pudding“.
Adding a sad, but personal touch to the show, the band paid a heartfelt tribute to longtime friend Bill Dailey who had passed the day before the show. To commemorate Billy’s passing they performed a very fitting song, also from their upcoming album, “I Wish You Were Here“. Bill obviously had a huge impact on DKM and he will be missed dearly.
As the night came to an end they played another favorite, “Rose Tattoo” and concluded with an AC/DC cover of “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” and “Having a Party” (Sam Cooke cover). Yes, the St. Paddy’s party was done, but the reaction had just begun!
Since the performance they have released a new single, “Queen of Suffolk County“. The new album will officially be released on April 30th and can be pre-ordered. To celebrate the release, DKM will host another stream show on May 1st! Stay tuned to the DKM website for more details!
In case you missed it, catch the whole show here!
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Dropkick Murphys Still Locked Down Setlist
The Lonesome Boatman (The Fureys cover)
Hang ‘Em High
Out of Our Heads
Middle Finger
The Fields of Athenry (Pete St. John cover)
Surrender
Which Side Are You On? (The Almanac Singers cover)
Never Forget
Peg O’ My Heart (Charles Harrison cover)
Climbing a Chair to Bed
God Willing
The Wild Rover
James Connolly (Black 47 cover)
Queen of Suffolk County
I Wish You Were Here (Live debut)
Smash Shit Up
The Gauntlet
The Dirty Glass (featuring Erin Mackenzie of the Doped up Dollies)
Rude Awakenings (Live debut)
Rose Tattoo
Citizen C.I.A.
I’m Shipping Up to Boston
Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced
Skinhead on the MBTA
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (AC/DC cover)
Having a Party (Sam Cooke cover)
