Dropkick Murphys kicked off their 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Tour with a explosive performance at The Paramount in Huntington on February 26. The night was a high-energy celebration of punk rock and Irish pride, setting the tone for what promises to be another memorable run of shows leading up to the holiday.
Opening the night was Teenage Bottlerocket, delivering a fast-paced set that primed the crowd for what was to come. Their set included songs like “Don’t Wanna Go,” “Bigger Than Kiss,” “Headbanger,” and “Skate or Die.” The band consists of Ray Carlisle (vocals, guitar), Kody Templeman (guitar, vocals), Miguel Chen (bass), and Darren Chewka (drums).
Following them were The Menzingers, who launched their set with fan favorites “I Don’t Wanna Be an Asshole Anymore” and “Good Things.” Their performance included standout tracks like “Thick as Thieves,” “Irish Goodbyes,” and “Lookers,” before closing with the anthemic “After the Party.” The Menzingers lineup features Greg Barnett (guitar, vocals), Tom May (guitar, vocals), Eric Keen (bass), and Joe Godino (drums).
By the time Dropkick Murphys hit the stage, the sold-out crowd was ready to raise their pints and voices. The band wasted no time diving into their set, opening with the lively “Captain Kelly’s Kitchen” and the rowdy crowd-pleaser “The Boys Are Back.”
Led by frontman Ken Casey, the current lineup features Tim Brennan (guitars, tin whistle, accordion, piano, vocals), Jeff DaRosa (guitars, banjo, mandolin, vocals), Matt Kelly (drums, percussion, vocals), James Lynch (guitars, vocals), and Kevin Rheault (bass). The band’s blend of Celtic instrumentation and punk energy had the entire venue moving from start to finish.
The setlist spanned the band’s extensive catalog, including songs like “(F)lannigan’s Ball,” “Which Side Are You On,” “Rippin’ Up the Boundary Line,” and “Walk Away.” Fan favorites “State of Massachusetts” and “The Irish Rover” kept the crowd singing along, while the emotional “Rose Tattoo” provided a poignant highlight. The night ended on a high note with the one-two punch of “Shipping Up to Boston” and “Workers Song,” sending fans out into the night buzzing with energy.
As the St. Patrick’s Day Tour rolls on, Dropkick Murphys will wrap up the tour on March 17 with a special hometown show at Citizens House of Blues in Boston, a fitting finale to their annual celebration. The band has also announced their next venture — the Summer of Discontent Tour — set to kick off in July. The tour will feature co-headliners Bad Religion and The Mainliners, with stops in Asbury Park, Atlantic City, and Big Flats, NY among the many dates on the schedule.
With their blend of Celtic tradition and punk rock spirit, Dropkick Murphys continue to be one of the most electrifying live acts around — and 2025 is shaping up to be another unforgettable year.
Dropkick Murphys – The Paramount, Huntington, Long Island – Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Setlist: Captain Kelly’s Kitchen, The Boys Are Back, Prisoner’s Song, The Warriors Code,(F)lannigan’s Ball, Which Side Are You On, Mick Jones Nicked My Pudding, Black Velvet Band, Rippin Up The Boundary Line, Going Out in Style, Bastards on Parade, Who Will Stand With Us, Curse of a Fallen Soul, The Bonny/Pipebomb, Walk Away, Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya, A Few Good Men, State of Massachusetts, Rose Tattoo, Out of Our Heads, Irish Rover, Shipping Up to Boston, Worker’s Song
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