Dropkick Murphys Tour Brings Celtic Punk Rock to Stubbs BBQ in Austin

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Concert Reviews | Stubbs Austin

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Mar 7, 2022

Posted By Tracy Fuller

I am a music enthusiast with a deep love for the energy of crowded venues, loud music, & passionate fans. I have a diverse background that includes private security, talent buying, festival security planning, & media relations. I've also worked as a camera operator for various projects, including music videos featuring notable artists like Bernz, Tech N9ne, & Krizz Kaliko. Additionally, I am a camera operator for Full Moon Features, where I contribute to the production of horror movies.

The long-awaited Dropkick Murphys tour makes its way to Austin. With high-energy Celtic punk rock and even higher middle fingers at the legendary Stubb’s BBQ Amphitheater.

It’s been two years since Dropkick Murphys brought their signature brand of Celtic rock to Austin. Judging by the hordes of fans decked in scally caps, Doc Martens, and kilts lined up around the block of Stubbs and packed in bars nearby before the show. You’d think it had been a decade or more. The band was finally back in town supporting the release of their 2021 album Turn Up That Dial. Other than co-frontman Al Barr bowing out of the tour to help care for his ailing mother. The show went on without skipping a beat.

The show started with a bang as the band took the stage in full Celtic regalia. Lee Forshner began belting out the classic “Cadence To Arms” on the bagpipes. The moshing kicked off as the band segued into “Do or Die,” followed immediately by “Barroom Hero.”

Dropkickmurphys Stubbs March 2022 Tracyfuller 1 Of 1 5 Noise From The Pit — Dropkick Murphys Tour Brings Celtic Punk Rock To Stubbs Bbq In Austin 10

By the time Ken started chanting out “The Boys are Back,” the fans were surfing across the crowd while beer cans flew overhead. Later in the set, the band brought out their opening acts to join them on stage. Together they played Ahern’s “Caught in a Jar,” The Rumjacks’ “Worker’s Song” and The Bombpops’ “The Dirty Glass.”

As the night drew to a close, the Dropkick Murphys then performed their 2013 hit “Rose Tattoo”. Then followed immediately with the well-timed “Kiss Me, I’m Sh*tfaced” because by that time a number of fans were indeed quite sh*tfaced.

Of course, no Dropkick Murphys tour is complete without the Celtic punk anthem “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.” The crowd chanted along with the full force of 2,500 drunken Irishmen and women. It was the perfect end to a long-awaited night.