Tour packages often times fall into a one genre mindset where bands start to blend in with one another. Dropkick Murphys however have brought out a package with 3 other bands all of different takes and a packed Aragon Ballroom in Chicago went crazy for it.
Opening up was one man folk act Amigo The Devil. Sporting only a guitar or banjo and singing songs with dark lyrics he was able to get a loud talkative crowd to get right into his performance. While on paper he might seem to be an oddball on this tour he managed to get the crowd going and ready for what was next.
Hatebreed are no strangers to the scene, this crowd, or really anyone anymore. With 25 years in the scene and being one the bands still to bridge the gap of metal / punk / hardcore Jasta and company brought the energy at full speed during their set. Featuring circle pits, hardcore dancing, & moshing taking up a massive chunk of the floor the crowd ate up every second of Hatebreeds short set.
Clutch with 12 full length albums not including live albums or anything aren’t new this game either. Having formed before Hatebreed even frontman / guitarist Neil Fallon still can command the stage like most wish they could. With an hour set Clutch brought enough groove to have everyone moving around. Neil makes sure to get all fans involved as well with constant interaction with the fans all while not missing a step at all. Clutch is sounding better than ever currently and has zero attempt it seems to slow that down either.
Closing out the night Celtic punk rock legends Dropkick Murphys. The packed room became clearly apparent as to who they were they were to see when the band finally took the stage. With a close to sold out crowd of beer drinking, pitting, and singing along it was hard to tell who had more energy at times, the band or the crowd. Frontmen Ken Casey and Al Barr are a constant stream of energy playing off of one another and the crowd. There weren’t many moments where either stood still taking advantage of every spot on the stage as well as constantly getting in the crowd to sing along with the diehard fans on the barrier.
Having seen and covered many bands in 2019 alone I’ll without a doubt say Dropkick Murphys provided one of the best sets of 2019 for me and I just can’t see that being topped. If this tour package is coming your way its a great evening of music to see from 4 bands all killing it and showing you a different genre of music.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Alex Valentovich: Apocalyptic Demise Photography
Dropkick Murphys
Clutch, Hatebreed, Amigo The Devil
