Dropkick Murphys @ the Civic Nola
Coast Observer
Words and Photos by Canonblue Lalley
Fresh off the release of their tenth studio album, Turn Up The Dial, the Dropkick Murphys brought their high Boston energy to the stage of the Civic, New Orleans. Our first taste of Dropkick since the world shut down severing live music for almost two years, the crowd was packed inside with high anticipation. Kilts, tartans and pork-pie hats galore could be seen through the different patrons, all excitedly waiting for the return of the punk princes of Boston.
“The Foggy Dew” by Sinead O'Connor began to play as the lights dimmed and the boys took the stage. Screams and shouts broke the hauntingly beautiful medley until the first chords of “The Lonesome Boatman” a cover of The Furys sent people into a full on thrash punk frenzy. Followed closely by “The Boys Are Back” the show felt much like a sing-a-long instead of your average concert. Having such raucous live music and throwing caution into the wind after two years of avoiding our fellow man ignited a spark that the Murphys latched onto and used to propel the show forward with speed and frenzy. Entirely magical.
Noticeably absent was Al Barr, sidelined this tour due to family health issues. Our hearts and head bangs go out to he and his family as they go through such a difficult time.
The Murphys played staples such as “Rose Tattoo” and “State of Massachusetts” always well received. It wasn’t until they played “Johnny, I hardly knew ya” that i was sure the roof may fly off and the floor may collapse. Every person in there screamed the chorus from the top of their lungs, the bass rolling like a freight train and practically drowning out Ken Casey completely.
As noted in our interview with Tim Brennan of DKM, the new tracks from Turn Up the Dial have a more gungy, dark, folk like sound. The crowd went wild, lapping it up and it’s safe to say TUTD is going to go down as a triumph for the Murphys.
Catch them in a few weeks at their annual St. Paddy’s Day celebration in Boston!