Slugger, Haywire, The Aggrolites and Dropkick Murphys at House of Blue

The night kicked off promptly at 6:30 p.m. with Northern California hardcore outfit SLUGGER, whose intense, high-energy set immediately tested the room’s stamina. Manically pacing the stage with the mic cord wrapped around his neck, frontman Tommy seized the crowd’s attention from the outset. While many in attendance were clearly there for the headliner, SLUGGER’s aggressive sound and tight delivery piqued the curiosity of newcomers. By the end of their set, it was clear they had converted a share of first-time listeners into new fans—an opener worth catching whenever they pass through town Anticipation built quickly for Boston hardcore act HAYWIRE. As Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” filled the room, the crowd sang along in full voice—an ironic calm before the storm. Wearing a Dallas Cowboys jersey emblazoned with the band’s logo and the number 214 on the back, frontman Austin Sparkman abruptly cut the track and launched into the band’s title song, “Haywire,” igniting a surge of movement on the floor. The pit opened instantly as the band powered through a set defined by heavy riffs, chant-ready hooks, and relentless aggression.

At times resembling a young Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT) in both look and delivery, Sparkman took a moment to acknowledge the generational spread in the crowd: “Everybody in this room matters,” he said. Moments later, DROPKICK MURPHYS’ frontman Ken Casey joined HAYWIRE for “New England Forever,” sending the room into a frenzy. “Give a hand to these young whippersnappers!” Casey shouted before exiting the stage. HAYWIRE continued with songs like “Like a Train” and “Love Song,” but the emotional core of their set came when Sparkman revealed he had been sober for ten months. He shared a story about a text message meant for a friend named Dale that was never sent because Dale died unexpectedly. “Find your somebody in the room and give them a hug,” he told the audience, prompting a wave of applause and embraces. The band then dedicated “Always by My Side” to “all of those dead friends that can’t be here tonight.”

Next up, THE AGGROLITES brought a stylistic shift, leaning into their signature West Coast blend of ska, reggae, rock, and soul. Wearing a black shirt reading “Static in the System” across the back, frontman Jesse Wagner led a groove-driven performance that transformed the venue into a laid-back dance party. Drawing from across their catalog, the band also delivered a string of covers, including FRANKIE VALLI’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” NANCY SINATRA’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” and closed with THE BEATLES’ “Don’t Let Me Down.” Referred to as the “smoothest criminals” by Casey, their tight musicianship and vintage tone provided a warm, rhythmic contrast ahead of the night’s finale. Wagner joked that in Jamaica—where reggae originated—you “rent a tile on the floor and dance on it.” The band even offered their own spin on “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” and as their set wrapped, Wagner teased the crowd: “You tough guys ready to hit each other?” The main act was moments away.

By the time DROPKICK MURPHYS took the stage at 9:15 p.m., the room was primed. Bagpipes pierced the darkness before the lights came up and the band tore straight into “Deeds Not Words” from Going Out in Style. Wearing the Boston Bruins No. 18 jersey made famous by Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore, frontman Ken Casey worked the stage with trademark intensity and an unmistakable voice, frequently interacting with fans and inviting them to share the mic. At one point, he borrowed a young fan’s phone to call the boy’s mother and ask permission for Hudson to stay out late, unleashing a triumphant scream when she agreed. Later in the evening, Casey dedicated “Rose Tattoo” to the Hudson’s parents. The band barreled through early highlights including “The State of Massachusetts,” “Caps and Bottles,” and “The Boys Are Back” before Casey paused to welcome the crowd to the band’s 30th-anniversary celebration. “Thirty years of standing up to bullies and speaking for the American people,” he said.

Throughout the set, the Murphys balanced ferocious energy with their well-established working-class ethos. Songs like “Boys on the Docks,” “The Gang’s All Here,” and “A Hero Among Many” showcased the band’s catalog depth, while newer material—such as “Who’ll Stand with Us?” from their 2025 album For the People—reinforced their continued political engagement. A reworked version of “Citizen C.I.A.” appeared as the anti-ICE anthem “Citizen I.C.E.,” underscoring the group’s outspoken stance in recent years.

Casey, the sole remaining founding member, addressed the crowd directly: “Some people are surprised DROPKICK MURPHYS have something to say at this moment. If you’ve got a microphone and you love this country, you better use it right now.”  He continued, “I am gonna say this in the nicest way possible: Fuck Donald Trump. Fuck Donald Trump! Fuck Donald Trump!”  These remarks drew the loudest response of the night, underscoring the band’s long-standing blend of music and message. For nearly 90 minutes, DROPKICK MURPHYS delivered a relentless 23-song set that had the entire House of Blues dancing, cheering, singing along, and crowd-surfing. A sea of raised fists defined the atmosphere as fans matched the band word for word. Casey’s banter remained playful, ensuring the show never drifted too far from its core purpose: a cathartic, bagpipe-and-flute-fueled communal punk rock celebration.

Formed in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1996, DROPKICK MURPHYS remain anchored by Casey alongside drummer Matt Kelly, guitarists Tim Brennan and James Lynch, bassist Kevin Rheault, Jeff DaRosa on banjo and mandolin, and Campbell Webster on bagpipes. Their 2005 album The Warrior’s Code featured “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” which gained global recognition after appearing in the movie The Departed, cementing the band’s crossover appeal.

The band is currently touring behind a split LP with HAYWIRE titled New England Forever, available exclusively on vinyl at their shows. For fans, it’s one more reason to catch this lineup live.

Setlist — DROPKICK MURPHYS

* Deeds Not Words

* The State of Massachusetts

* Caps and Bottles

* The Boys Are Back

* Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya

* Gonna Be a Blackout Tonight

* The Fields of Athenry

* Who’ll Stand with Us?

* Chesterfields & Aftershave

* Rose Tattoo

* Bury the Bones

* Barroom Hero

* A Hero Among Many

* Boys on the Docks

* The Green Fields of France (Eric Bogle cover)

* The Gang’s All Here

* Finnegan’s Wake

* Citizen I.C.E.

* Kids Games

* Going Out in Style

* Worker’s Song

* I’m Shipping Up to Boston

* The Big Man

Arggrolites