Dropkick Murphys – The Boys Are Back in San Jose

Dropkick Murphys
San Jose Civic Center
February 13, 2024

Photos by Raymond Ahner

The seminal American Celtic punk rock band Dropkick Murphys recently announced their annual St. Patricks Day Tour, along with pop-punk icons Pennywise and Dublin Ireland band The Scratch. The tour hits 23 cities before wrapping up with a string of dates at the MGM Music Hall in their home city of Boston. The tour kicked off last week with a packed show at the San Jose Civic in San Jose California, and if that show was any indication, it should be a rather triumphant tour.

As the house lights dimmed while Sinéad O’ Connor’s version of “Foggy Dew” was played over the PA, the Dropkick Murphys hit the stage and immediately launched into their anthem “The Boys Are Back.” From there, the band tore through a 27-song setlist that didn’t slow them down in the slightest. Vocalist/bassist now turned just vocalist Ken Casey took advantage of the platform in front of the stage from the word go, interacting with fans throughout the course of the evening. Highlights from the set included “Smash Shit Up,” “Gotta Get to Peekskill,” (from their latest record Okemah Rising) a ripping cover of AC/DC’s “T.N.T.,” and “Rose Tattoo.” The band wrapped up their set with “Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced,” but returned to the stage for a four song encore, highlighted by “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” which had the entire crowd singing along. As the evening came to a close, it was clear that the fans had gotten their money’s worth.

Supporting the Dropkick Murphys on this tour are the long running Hermosa Beach-based pop punkers Pennywise. They hit the stage and ripped through a highly energetic set of their own, and by the time they wrapped up with the punk rock anthem “Bro-Hymn,” the entire venue was pumped up and ready for the headliners.

Opening the show was The Scratch, a four piece from Dublin, Ireland whose blend of punk and traditional Irish music, brought the fans into the venue and down to the front of the stage early.

Here’s a slideshow with more photos by Raymond Ahner: