At The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City on September 24, 2024
An early Fall breeze blows off the East River, helping to remind early arrivals they’re high atop a pier in New York City, not in an indoor concert hall. The sweeping views of Wall Street towers and the Brooklyn Bridge complete the picture.
Written and Photography by Jonathan Lane
https://www.photographer-jonathan-lane.com/home
The crowd of pumped Dropkick Murphys fans reaches a critical mass by the time The Scratch (from Dublin) hits the stage. The Scratch’s music has been described as “Heavy metal Irish music played on acoustic instruments”, and “Celtic prog rock fusion”, among others. The Scratch are: Conor “Dock” Dockery on guitar and backing vocals, Cathal McKenna on bass and backing vocals, Daniel “Lango” Lang on lead vocals and cajón. The fourth member, Jordan “Jordo” O’Leary, guitarist and co-lead vocalist, did not join the tour for personal reasons. However, the other three made up for his absence and pleased the crowd with a killer set of mostly original tunes, that had the crowd bouncing and dancing, warming hearts with their Dubliner charm.
The Scratch links
See full gallery from The Scratch performance below. Photo all rights reserved by Jonathan Lane exclusive for S.L.R. Magazine
Next, California-based Pennywise kept fists pumping and feet dancing. This punk band has been rocking out since 1988. On stage are three original members – Fletcher Dragge (guitar, vocals), Byron McMackin (drums, vocals), and Jim Lindberg (lead vocals). Randy Bradbury (bass, vocals) has been with the band since 1996. To borrow a phrase, these guys pack a musical punch and explode with energy like it’s 1999.
Undoubtedly, these two openers perfectly set the stage for headliners Dropkick Murphys (DKM). Hailing from the Boston area, if this band didn’t invent Celtic Punk, they certainly put this genre on the map. The band wastes no time kicking things into high gear with Barroom Hero, their first song, dating back to 1996. Bagpipes lead into a hard-hitting punk beat, and this segues right into Boys on the Docks for more of the same varied, bombastic music, skillfully played and full of punk “piss and vinegar”.
Pennywise links
See full gallery from Pennywise performance below. Photo all rights reserved by Jonathan Lane exclusive for S.L.R. Magazine
DKM never once let the electric mood drop, as they deliver a 24-song set (including encore) where every member gets to shine on his instruments and voice. Some highlights in the set include:
The State of Massachusetts – a bouncy, rock infused Irish reel.
The Spicy McHaggis Jig – A raucous tune, reminiscent of The Clash
Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya – An impactful DKM version of a traditional American, English and Irish song with roots in the 19th century. (One related version was When Johnny Comes Marching Home – also a cynical anti-war song.)
Sirens – Another real punk rocker with a driving beat and sweet guitar riffs, along with a message about sticking together with our fellow ordinary people.
Smash Shit Up – An Irish reel, sweetened with hearty accordion work by Tim Brennan – Tim also especially shines on accordion on The Hardest Mile.
The truly uplifting Good as Gold – full of good will.
Until the Next Time – This is a perfect set closer – a “good night” ballad that would have sealed the love between band and crowd, if the show ended here. However, DKM comes back onstage and brings the house down with a three-song encore:
Rose Tattoo – A pretty ballad, just made to be a sing-along.
Worker’s Song – A rousing, up-tempo pro-little guy song.
I’m Shipping Up to Boston – This crowd-pleaser is the perfect grand finale – and likely the song many fans were waiting to hear the entire night.
Dropkick Murphys have been at it for almost 30 years, and it shows: they are polished musical performers who know how to command the stage, share the limelight unselfishly, and deeply interact with fans. True to their punk identity DKM gives us songs full of defiance of authority, advocacy for the downtrodden, and celebration of the common person. I’ll argue that it’s ultimately a message of love – of hope all we regular folks can resist the efforts to keep us apart and just get along. Ahead of the warm and friendly Good as Gold, frontman Ken Casey reflects on how happy he is to be playing New York again, and how even his innate Bostonian hatred for the New York Yankees has softened. He goes on to suggest that despite the age-old rivalry between Boston and New York, we have more in common than not – and this extends to the other more serious divisions among Americans. He concludes that if a Red Sox fan can mellow his attitude about the Yankees, there’s hope we can all get along.
I’d like to believe Ken is right.
Dropkick Murphys are:
- Al Barr Lead vocals
- James Lynch guitar, vocals
- Ken Casey (not slowed down at all by the medical boot on his foot) Vocals
- Tim Brennan guitar, accordion, others
- Jeff DaRosa guitar, banjo, others
- Matt Kelly drums
- Kevin Rheault , bass
Dropkick Murphys links
See full gallery from Dropkick Murphys performance below. Photo all rights reserved by Jonathan Lane exclusive for S.L.R. Magazine
Dropkick Murphys – The Rooftop at Pier 17 – New York, NY – 9/24/24
Set List
Barroom Hero
Boys on the Docks
The State of Massachusetts
The Boys Are Back
The Spicy McHaggis Jig
Surrender
The Gauntlet
The Fields of Athenry (cover)
Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya
Sirens
Smash Shit Up
Forever
Captain Kelly’s Kitchen
My Hero
Caps and Bottles
Which Side Are You On? (cover)
The Hardest Mile
Good as Gold
Bastards on Parade
The Irish Rover (cover)
Until the Next Time
Encore
Rose Tattoo
Worker’s Song
I’m Shipping Up to Boston
Check the list of upcoming shows near you and get your tickets here: https://dropkickmurphys.com/tour/
Dropkick Murphys 2024 Tour Dates:
10/11 – Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock
10/13 – Vancouver, BC @ Harbour Convention Centre *
10/15 – Penticton, BC @ Penticton Trade and Convention Centre *
10/16 – Calgary, AB @ Big Four Building *
10/17 – Edmonton, AB @ Edmonton Convention Centre *
10/18 – Saskatoon, SK @ Sasktel Centre *
10/19 – Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre *
10/20 – Bismarck, ND @ Bismarck Event Center *
10/22 – Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theater *
10/23 – Rochester, MN @ Mayo Civic Center Auditorium *
10/24 – Bloomington, IL @ Grossinger Motors Arena *
10/25 – Grand Rapids, MI @ 20 Monroe Live *
10/27 – Amherst, MA @ Mullins Center *
* = w/ Pennywise and The Scratch
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