By Chyrisse Tabone, Rock At Night Tampa
Live Review: The Dropkick Murphys with The Rumjacks, The Bombpops, and Jesse Ahern – Jannus Live, St. Petersburg, Florida – March 7, 2022
Monday night in St. Petersburg, Florida could have easily been St. Patrick’s Day with all the green shamrock attire, including t-shirts, leggings, and socks. Newsboy caps (think Peaky Blinders), kilts, and Doc Martens were frequently observed as concertgoers stood in a long line at the merch table hoping to snag a t-shirt from headliner Dropkick Murphys as well as support acts Celtic punk band The Rumjacks and punk band The Bombpops. One woman was so thrilled to purchase a t-shirt that she disrobed and changed a few feet away. The concert in St. Peterburg has been sold out for weeks and really was the place to be for an early holiday celebration.
Promptly at 8 p.m., songwriter and troubadour Jesse Ahern warmed up the crowd for a 30 minute set of Irish music. Armed with just a guitar and his voice, his gravel-voiced delivery was perfect and felt like we were in a pub in Galway. Really good stuff!
Next up was Rock At Night fav’ The Rumjacks. You can check out the interview with lead singer/songwriter Mike Rivkees in our upcoming Spring CELTIC print issue as well as hear the podcast HERE. With a darkened, smoldering stage lit by colored lights (a spotlight would have been welcome), the band sang, dance around the stage, played the penny whistle—and even bagpipes for good measure. The Rumjacks never disappoint and fulfilled our yearning for some good Celtic punk music.
California pop punk band The Bombpops, which included infectious harmonies by Jen Razavi and Remmington, provoked some moshing in the center of the crowd. Drummer Josh Lewis was impressive has he flailed his arms and twirled the sticks while puffing on a ‘cigarette’. Lots of multi-tasking going on!
Finally, the party was already in full motion as the Dropkick Murphys (DKM’s) singer Ken Casey ran out on stage with a spotlight following. Casey is filling in for singer Al Barr during this tour while he tends to his mother’s health. The concert was in full swing with concert goers jumping and singing to songs like “The Boys Are Back”, “The Foggy Dew”, and “Middle Finger”. After guitarist Tim Brennan whipped out an accordion during the set, it was a Celtic punk frenzy in the crowd.
Again, our upcoming Celtic print issue has photos of the Dropkick Murphys in all their glory. Look for it the week of the 20th.
Catch the DKM St. Patrick’s Day Tour as they whisk across North America and end up in Boston between March 17th and the 20th. They will be heading over to the UK and EU in June.
PHOTO GALLERY
The Dropkick Murphys
The Rumjacks
The Bombpops
Jesse Ahern
I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
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