Fairview Park played host to a memorable night of punk and hardcore on 25 June as Dropkick Murphys headlined an outstanding four band bill. With ideal summer weather, the atmosphere was electric from the moment the first act took to the stage.
Opening the evening were An Slua, who immediately won over early arrivals with an energetic performance that blended punk attitude with strong musicianship. Their set provided the perfect introduction to the night, setting a high standard and warming up the audience for what was to come.
Next up were Death Before Dishonor, whose aggressive hardcore sound injected a surge of intensity into the atmosphere. Their powerful riffs, relentless drumming, and commanding stage presence encouraged the first major pits of the evening. The Boston band demonstrated why they remain such a respected name within the hardcore scene, delivering a tight and uncompromising performance.
The Oppressed followed with a set full of classic street punk anthems and anti racist messages. Their performance was both nostalgic and energetic, with fans enthusiastically singing along to familiar songs. The band’s passion and authenticity shone through, creating one of the evening’s standout moments before the headliners arrived.
Dropkick Murphys took the stage to a huge reception. Launching straight into a high energy set, the band kept the momentum going throughout the night with a perfect mix of fan favourites. Their trademark blend of Celtic instrumentation and punk rock sounded as powerful as ever, while the crowd responded with constant singing, dancing. The connection between the band and the Dublin audience was evident, with frontman Ken Casey regularly interacting with fans between songs.
The production, sound quality, and organisation all contributed to an excellent concert experience, and Fairview Park once again proved itself to be a fantastic outdoor venue for live music. With four excellent performances and an unforgettable headline set from Dropkick Murphys, the evening was a celebration of punk rock, community, and live music at its very best. It was a concert that those in attendance are unlikely to forget anytime soon.
An Slua photos:
Death Before Dishonor photos:
The Oppressed photos:
Dropkick Murphys photos & set-list:
Set-list:
The Lonesome Boatman (The Fureys cover)
The Boys Are Back
Citizen I.C.E.
Skinhead on the MBTA
Who’ll Stand With Us?
Chesterfields & Aftershave
The State of Massachusetts
Caught in a Jar
(F)lannigan’s Ball
Barroom Hero
Kids Games
Rippin Up the Boundary Line
School Days Over (Ewan MacColl cover)
Streetlights
Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya
First Class Loser
The Green Fields of France (Eric Bogle cover)
Rose Tattoo
Worker’s Song
The Big Man
I’m Shipping Up to Boston
The Body of an American (The Pogues cover)
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic