CONCERT REVIEW: Dropkick Murphys: Music, Beer & Fistbumps

On January 29, Dropkick Murphys took the stage at the Ziggo Dome. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but from the very first second, the energy was through the roof. No slow build-up, just full throttle from the start. The crowd was encouraged to start mosh pits, though these were mostly limited to the center near the barricade. The rest of the audience stuck to bouncing along, jumping, and the occasional beer shower.

One cool detail was the small platform at the front of the stage, where Ken Casey frequently stepped up to get closer to the audience. He handed out fistbumps left and right and constantly engaged with the crowd. Even when he was right among the fans, everything remained respectful—no pulling, no grabbing, just genuine enthusiasm from both sides.

A standout moment in the set was Curse of a Fallen Soul, which started as a ballad before suddenly switching into a fast, hard-hitting track. Another surprise was their cover of AC/DC’s It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll), which fit seamlessly into their performance.

As the night went on, the atmosphere became more lively. More beers were thrown, the mosh pits got more intense, and chants of “Let’s go Murphys!” echoed through the venue—something the band clearly enjoyed.

The music is fast and loud, but the energy is infectious. Even if you’ve never seen them live before, there’s plenty to enjoy. No frills, no over-the-top stage production—just a band doing what they do best: playing.