Live review: Dropkick Murphys & Blood Or Whiskey

With a slew of sold-out US and European dates under their belts including pit stops in Hamburg, Paris, New York and Boston, the Celtic Punk Invasion Tour was a ripped and ready-for-action two-headed musical behemoth when it landed in Vicar Street for Paddy's Day. A matinee performance saw the kids get their kicks and meant both bands were primed for an evening of musical mayhem.
Blood or Whiskey kick off proceedings with raucous live favourite ‘They Say No’, which sets the pace for the night. Their career-spanning high-octane set features blistering renditions of 'Seanie O’Keeffe' and 'Dirty Aul War' from latest lauded outing Tell The Truth And Shame The Devil and an intoxicating version of trad standard 'King Of The Fairies'. The band play with an energy and heart that makes for a compelling live prospect and frontman Dugs is a commanding presence, whipping the crowd into a frenzy rarely achieved during a support slot. A rousing 'Poxy Pub' – which induces a mass singalong – brings proceedings to a climactic finish.
Headliners The Dropkick Murphys take to the stage next for a slick, polished performance which sees them kick out the Irish-American jams with much aplomb. Highlights include a roof-raising ‘The Boys Are Back’, ‘Rose Tattoo’ from 2013's Signed And Sealed In Blood and a skilful reworking of Sham 69’s ‘If The Kids Are United’. The outfit are consummate showmen; deceased comrade Colin Riot gets a respectful shout out, ‘The Fields Of Athenry’ is introduced with a deferential nod to Pete St. John and Blood Or Whiskey are invited back for a resplendent 'Shipping Up To Boston'. Later, the ladies in the audience are even invited to party on stage for energetic nugget ‘Kiss Me I’m Shitfaced’ and hell there’s even a proposal in the middle of it all (she said yes by the way)!
A top night's entertainment.