Dropkick Murphy’s Still a Force to Reckon With

Dropkick Murphy’s

W/The Rumjacks and Jesse Ahern

Friday, March 3rd

House of Blues, Orlando, FL

The Dropkick Murphy’s have been at it for almost 30 years now, and they have their show down to an exact science. Equal parts indignation and good time sing alongs, DKM cover all the bases. House of Blues was near capacity, and the anticipation was palpable. On this, the second night of the tour, the band was in fine form, and hitting their stride.

Ken Casey explains just how big the fish was.

Kicking the show off with “The State Of Massachusetts,” Vocalist Ken Casey prowled the stage, never slowing, and spending a lot of time on the barricade. The band covered The Pogues “Dirty Old Town,” becoming a massive sing along. As was much of the set. Even the newer songs, under the guidance of Casey, became a communal event. Leading the crowd through Woody Guthrie’s, “Dig A Hole,” from their recent release, “This Machine Still Kills Fascists.”

Fan favorites “Rose Tattoo,” “Two 6’s Upside Down,” and of course, “Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced,” were all played with an unexpected ferocity. DKM left it all on the stage. Their performance was formidable, and felt as though they still had something to prove.

Jesse Ahern started the show with a 30 minute solo set of Americana flavored folk. Compelling and familiar, Ahern had an immediate rapport with the crowd. His delivery was intense and eloquent.

The Rumjacks, originally from Australia, are a tight 5 piece, who blasted through a coarse set of punk edged songs tempered with tin whistles and accordion, helping to lift the melodies. “An Irish Pub Song,” and “A Fistful of Roses,” were well received, by a welcoming audience. The band never eased up during their 50 minute performance. The Rumjacks songs display a great sense of melody and forceful delivery. As the band would say, “Never underestimate a rebel heart.”