‘Streaming Up to Boston’ was a two hour slice of joy that the world was in dire need of it.
The Dropkick Murphys brought their annual Saint Patrick’s Day show to over a million people on March 17th via YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Did they have to? Absolutely not. They could’ve regrettably canceled their annual Boston tradition of pints and punk, and gone about their day.
Instead, the boys from Boston decided to head up to a closed studio with a skeleton crew in hand, to provide a desperate need of St. Patrick’s fueled panacea. The band, somehow, channeled all that energy and passion they’d put into their legendary St. Pat’s shows and sent that spirit out through the internet to their fan base.
And I can tell you, it was a beautiful thing. While a lot of us that have Irish blood coursing through our veins, and those who gladly take part in the holiday, couldn’t get to the pubs, or see our families or pick up supplies for our traditional meals — Dropkick brought us together and made us feel like we were in the pubs, with our families, and each song was like drinking a pint, or having a hot plate of corned beef.
On a personal level, it was great interacting with friends who were also live-streaming the show. We posted pictures of our beverages, videos of kids dancing to the Dropkick anthems, and just general status updates filled with joy.
I have to give such massive love and respect to Ken Casey and the gang. Casey served as hype man, MC, and a calming presence we all needed. He was like a tattooed father figure who came to tell you, “Listen times are tough right now, but we’re going to be okay.” He was a soothing voice in a sea of uncertainty.
‘Streaming Up to Boston’ itself was an epic set of traditional Irish covers, Dropkick classics, and three brand new songs never before played to an audience — ‘Mick Jones Nick My Pudding,’ ‘Queen of Suffolk County’ and ‘Burn It To the Ground.’ ‘Queen of Suffolk County’ was the absolute stand out of the new songs, however ‘Smash Shit Up’ which will be on their new record, definitely is the new instant classic from the band.
The band did have to make due without their bagpipe player who is currently in Florida with his family. So songs like ‘Fields of Atherny’ were a little different, but still wonderful. Hearing the band rip through classics ‘The Irish Rover,’ ‘The Black Velvet Band,’ ‘Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya,’ and an awesome version ‘Rocky Road to Dublin.’ God, hearing these took me right to a mental Irish pub state where great food, drink, and music is ever-present.
‘Streaming Up to Boston’ has been posted below for your viewing pleasure, and I highly recommend if you need a moment in the day to unplug from work, or just the overwhelming weight of all this — go watch it, and enjoy.
The Dropkick Murphys are raising money through this pandemic through their Claddagh Fund which will help support Boston families in this time of need.
Setlist:
The Irish Rover (traditional cover)
The Boys Are Back
Paying My Way
The Black Velvet Band (traditional cover)
Don’t Tear Us Apart
First Class Loser
Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya
Blood
Famous for Nothing
The Bonny (Gerry Cinnamon cover)
Smash Shit Up
Going Out in Style
Cruel
Worker’s Song
Time to Go
The Fields of Athenry (Pete St. John cover)
Sunday Hardcore Matinee
I Fought the Law (The Crickets cover)
Forever
Rocky Road to Dublin (traditional cover)
The State of Massachusetts
You’ll Never Walk Alone (Rodgers & Hammerstein cover)
Mick Jones Nicked My Pudding (Live debut)
Queen of Suffolk County (Live debut)
Burn It to the Ground (Live debut)
Rose Tattoo
Until the Next Time
I’m Shipping Up to Boston
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j06g0TE_Ao
