By Tiffany Detzel
I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a better way to kick off the week of St Patrick’s Day than by going to a Dropkick Murphys show! Their “This Machine Still Kills Fascists” tour ploughed through Columbus, Ohio on a cold and snowy Monday night and everyone was ready to party.
First up to perform were the acoustic stylings of Jesse Ahern. I admit to being skeptical on how well an acoustic opener would go over with the crowd. That feeling quickly went away once he started playing. His folksy yet punk songs were met with smiles and cheers throughout his performance. Jesse also wore his heart on his sleeve, sharing tidbits about his life and how truly grateful he was to be a part of this tour between songs. I highly recommend checking out his music or seeing him at a show near you.
Next up were Australian Celtic rockers The Rumjacks. Yes, you read that right. Their stage energy and Irish punk sound was on full display. Almost every song even featured a penny whistle solo. The crowd was loving it, with many dancing and smiling along. The Rumjacks were clearly having as much fun as they were as well. Be sure to add them to your regular listening rotation or see them when they come to town.
Last but not least, the always a blast, Dropkick Murphys. An altar bearing skulls, roses, and Mary statues adorned the stage, while The Foggy Dew by Sinéad O’Conner began to play. After that, we were treated to a wonderful bagpipe solo before the boys burst on stage declaring they are back and looking for trouble. Singer Casey wasted no time getting right up to the fans in the front row to sing along and fist pump with him. As always with a Dropkick Murphys show, not a single person stood still and everyone was screaming the words to every song. Though singer Al’s presence was missed (he is tending to family needs), the guys were phenomenal and clearly having as much fun as the crowd. I definitely recommend seeing them live whenever possible.
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