Concert ratings
“This weekend makes us a better band because we get to play so many more songs. Thanks for introducing us.”
Dropkick Murphys performs March 13 at MGM Music Hall at Fenway. Darren Zullo/Boston.com
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Dropkick Murphys, with The Vigilantes, Haywire and Showcase Showdown, at MGM Music Hall at Fenway, March 13, 2026.
Dropkick Murphys once again came out swinging on Friday night, kicking off a weekend full of exciting shows celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
Celebrating the glory of their 30th anniversary and another weekend of St. Paddy’s Day shenanigans, the band wasted no time moving forward. With three openers already under their belts, the crowd was raring to go as frontman Ken Kesey launched into the opening lines of “Barroom Hero.”
The crowd density may come as a shock to a less experienced set, but Dropkick Murphys are as experienced as Boston-based artists get. Harnessing explosive energy, they launched straight into fan favorites like “The State of Massachusetts” and “The Boys are Back.”
MGM Music Hall at Fenway has been the main venue for the band’s St. Patrick’s Day concerts for a few years now, and Friday’s show proved to be a stage where they feel completely comfortable. Casey once again proved his prowess at keeping the raucous crowd together, jumping the stretches of the stage and bending down to sing along with the fans.
Looking back on three decades as a band, Dropkick Murphys has given time in the spotlight to songs old and new. This included a series of three back-to-back songs – “Caught in a Jar”, “Boys on the Docks” and “Never Alone” – from their 1998 album “Do or Die”.
“This weekend makes us a better band because we get to play a lot of songs,” Casey said. “Thank you for introducing me to–t.”
Also during this tour, Casey foreshadowed the more overt politics that came into full effect in the second half of the band’s set. The Dropkick Murphys have always been vocal, especially about their support for immigrants, but the Trump administration’s crackdown last year only amplified their backlash.
“I want to send this to the children and grandchildren of immigrant parents,” Casey said before “Boys on the Docks” began.
The band then paid tribute to fellow Boston-based punk band The Trouble with a cover of their song “This One’s For You”. Playing a series of old songs may have left memories of Dropkick Murphys, but that passion was short-lived.
“There is a A pedophile suffering from dementia “In office, he starts wars,” Casey shouted.
Casey’s screams sparked a wave of cheers from the crowd as his bandmates launched into “Who’ll Stand With Us?”, the lead single from Dropkick Murphys’ latest album, “For the People.” The band debuted the song during last year’s St. Patrick’s Day shows and gave it the acoustic treatment shortly after on Boston’s “Hands Off.” Gathering in April 2025.
In keeping with past years, Guild member Lizzy Borden and Axes frontwoman Heather Fahey joined Casey on stage to perform “The Dirty Glass” as a duet. Fahey’s appearance revealed how many audience members had been to past St. Patrick’s Day shows, and fans who recognized her gave her a warm welcome.
“Forever” made room for a rare solemn moment in an otherwise bombastic set. However, Casey seems to realize that the fact that these moments are so few is what makes them so precious.
“We weren’t planning on playing this game, but you look like a bunch of sensitive bastards. Someone asked for it,” he joked.
As any veteran Dropkick Murphys fan knows, moments like these are usually the calm before the storm. “Forever” was no exception, as it was immediately followed by “Citizen ICE,” a fiery protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Time to wake up, Boston!” Casey called. “F–k ICE!”
The song is an updated version of the 2005 song “Citizen CIA” and was released earlier this year to protest the killing of Renee Nicole Goode in Minneapolis by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. The band blasted through the intense cut as the song’s lyrics and footage of ICE arrests played behind them on stage.
Barely more than a minute long, the breakneck speed and raucous cheering made it the hardest-rocking song of the night. Being joined on stage by Austin Sparkman, frontman of Boston-based hardcore punk band Highwire, certainly helped.
“Citizen ICE” is the lead single from “New England Forever”, a split EP by Dropkick Murphys and Haywire. It will be officially released on March 17, but was available early on vinyl at Dropkick Murphys shows starting on February 9.
The band squeezed in a few fan favorites to close out their main set, including “Rose Tattoo” and “Worker’s Song,” but the fast pace of some songs left them with extra time. To make sure they used every minute they had, they added the live debut of “Only the Strong” from “New England Forever” to the beginning of their set.
Although fans seemed to be having enough fun with “Only the Strong,” there was a feeling that they would rather hear one of the classics left on the table, like “Tessie” or “Kiss Me, I’m Shtfaced.” Although the Dropkick Murphys shouldn’t hesitate to play new material, one of these songs certainly would have been a bigger hit, especially in Boston on St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Then came the time for the anthem that everyone had been waiting for. Two decades after the Dropkick Murphys’ biggest hit, “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” still rocks audiences like no other song.
Although it would have ideally been closer, the show didn’t end there. The band made sure to go out with a bang by playing “The Big Man,” a song that was practically set up for popular music.
“Let’s start that circle!” Casey shouted as the crowd released the last of their pent-up chaotic energy.
Once again, Dropkick Murphys proved they know the Boston crowd like no other and started off the weekend in style. With four more shows this weekend, Friday’s performance showed that the band still has local loyalty at a time when Boston needs it most.
Dropkick Murphys were led by an all-star lineup of Boston punk bands, including The Vigilantes, Haywire, and Showcase Showdown. Each band builds on the next and sets the tone for the night perfectly.
The Vigilantes and Showcase Showdown, both underground acts from the ’90s, came out of retirement after decades to support Dropkick Murphys. Haywire, on the other hand, is a much newer act, but they certainly had the chops to stand alongside the others.
Setlist for Dropkick Murphys at MGM Music Hall at Fenway, March 13, 2026
- Barum champion
- Massachusetts
- Mick jones nicky my pudding
- The boys are back
- Johnny, I barely know you
- The whole gang is here
- Pipe bomb in Lansdowne
- Caps and bottles
- Caught in a jar
- Boys on the docks
- Never alone
- This is for you (issue cover)
- Which side are you on? (singers calendar cover)
- Who will stand with us?
- Dirty glass
- Strong will
- Forever
- Ice citizen
- The Men Behind the Wire (Barleycorn Cover)
- Rose tattoo
- Worker song
Appearance
- Only the Strong (live debut)
- I ship to Boston
- Big man
Dropkick Murphys returns to MGM Music Hall March 14 and 15; And play House of Blues, March 17. More details at dropkickmurphys.com.
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