Dropkick Murphys Kick Off U.S. Tour With Sold-Out Show at State Theatre in Portland, Maine [Photos]

On a chilly Monday night in downtown Portland, Dropkick Murphys delivered a fierce, high-voltage performance at the historic State Theatre that felt more like a rowdy St. Patrick’s Day block party than an early-February concert. The band’s “For The People…In The Pit” tour rolled into town with support from The Aggrolites, Haywire, and Slugger, and by the time DKM hit the stage, the crowd was ready to explode.

Slugger opened up the night with a blend of old school “Oi Oi Oi!” style hardcore and Black Black-esque Cali punk. The Northern California band won everyone over fairly quickly by dominating the stage with hard-hitting messages of anti-ICE messaging (“Under The Boot”), rebellious attitudes (“Humboldt Ave.”), and the incoming dread of the end of days (“Dead State”).

This was a band that probably has a loyal following in places like Santa Cruz, where members of the audience would grab the mic and sing along to every song. Even though they were far away from home, they maintained the same amount of energy they would possess in a basement somewhere in Vacaville, CA. By the end of the set, they had already pushed the audience to start a small mosh pit, which was enough to light a spark for the next act.

Next up, Haywire blasted off with a burst of raw, unfiltered hardcore energy that instantly set the tone for the evening. As seasoned vets of the punk scene and collaborators on the New England Forever split LP with the Dropkick Murphys, they came out tight and unapologetically intense — no frills, just pounding rhythms and gritty vocals that stirred the crowd from the moment they opened with a sample of the Fenway anthem, “Sweet Caroline.”

Even in the large-scale setting of the State Theatre, Haywire’s set felt visceral and immediate. Their straightforward, fast-paced approach woke up anyone else in the crowd who might have been just waiting for Dropkick to hit the stage. Though their sound is definitely more hardcore than Celtic punk, the entire audience responded with full-on sing-alongs and the biggest pit I’ve ever seen at the State Theatre. While they usually open with the title track “Haywire,” I feel as though they made a strategic decision to open with the more fun, punk-inspired track “Summer Nights.” This kind of “Trojan horsed” their abrasive sound to be more accessible to the general audience.

Additionally, Rival Mob singer Brendan Radigan joined the band for a quick cover of “Boot Party.” Overall, Haywire delivered an unpretentious, fierce opening performance that lived up to the buzz around their live shows — a perfect primer for the rowdy, sing-along uproar that would follow once Dropkick Murphys took over.

Following was the more chill and rocksteady swagger of The Aggrolites that instantly warmed up the crowd. With tight grooves, punchy horn lines, and vocals delivered with that trademark laid-back grit, they pulled the audience into their pocket right from the first beat.

The band’s blend of reggae, soul, and R&B felt both refreshing and irresistible. The crowd found themselves swaying, clapping, and grinning as classics and new cuts alike rolled through the set. Chock-full of faithful covers by The Clash, Cock Sparrer, Frankie Valli, and The Beatles, the band hypnotized the audience into communal crowd participation. Their performance was a perfect appetizer: rootsy, soulful, and spirited — a mellow yet mighty start to a raucous punk rock bill.

From the moment they launched into their set — a blend of raucous punk riffs, traditional Irish instrumentation, and roaring gang vocals — the vibe inside the ornate venue was electric. Kicking off with “Deeds Not Words,” a song they haven’t played live in ten years, longtime fans and first-timers alike were on their feet, voices hoarse and fists in the air, channelling the band’s signature mix of working-class grit and celebratory spirit. While they threw in some deep cuts like “3rd Man In,” they still managed to garner tons of enthusiasm with “The State of Massachusetts,” “The Boys Are Back,” and “Worker’s Song.”

What set this show apart wasn’t just the music — it was the community feeling in the room. Even in the pit, a surprisingly respectful and inclusive crowd dynamic, where folks of all ages looked out for one another amidst the organized chaos of dancing and moshing. Every Dropkick show displays a welcoming atmosphere, with the crowd keeping the energy high and yet safe at the same time.

The show wasn’t without its typical Dropkick antics, including lead singer Ken Casey pulling an eleven-year old kid out of the pit, reading a kind yet hilarious business card, and bringing up Haywire singer Austin Sparkman for their rendition of “Citizen C.I.A.,” but sang as “Citizen I.C.E.”

The highlight of the evening though, Graham Platner, a Maine Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, climbed on stage by Casey and joined him in singing “Bury the Bones,” a song with working-class hero lyrics, including the line: “Resist and never comply, protest and organize, the people must have the power if the world is meant to survive.” Graham then frickin’ stage dives into the crowd and rejoins the mosh pit, much to everyone’s delight and disbelief.

By the time the band left the stage — sweat-soaked, grinning, and having clearly enjoyed every second — there was this feeling that this was a perfect way to kick off this monumental tour. Whether you came for the mosh pits and crowd-surfing, or just to chill out in the balcony with a Sam Adams, Dropkick Murphys delivered exactly what they promised: a dedication to New England pride and working-class anthemic punk rock that this world needs right now.