PHOTOS: Dropkick Murphys, Interrupters, and Blood or Whiskey at Sands Bethlehem Event Center, 02/21/17
Much like Scranton does every year, Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early with their annual St. Patrick’s Day Tour, which kicked off in 2017 with a raucous concert at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
On the shit-kickin’ heels of their latest release, “11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory,” the Boston band blasted through 25 whiskey-soaked songs but weren’t afraid to slow down to highlight many of the more serious tracks on their new album, like their heartfelt cover of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” which bassist/vocalist Ken Casey said addresses the opioid epidemic rampant in the Northeast, particularly in their hometown and across Northeastern Pennsylvania, as highlighted by recent news reports.
“There’s help out there,” Casey said during one of the few times they stopped to talk to the crowd during the hour and a half set.
Keeping in the Irish spirit, Los Angeles ska punk band The Interrupters and Dublin punk band Blood or Whiskey opened the sold-out show. The Murphys closed the night with classic tunes “The Boys Are Back” and “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” before ending with “Until the Next Time” from the new record, calling for one last drink and catchy sing-along.
