DropKick Murphys

The Dropkick Murphys brought their loud Irish pride to Charlotte on their “For the People… In the Pit” tour on Sunday, February 22nd, 2026. They didn't need much to set the tone for the night, just the buzz of feedback, flashes of green light, and the roar of the bagpipe. Within seconds, the floor at The Fillmore surged forward. Strangers had arms over each other’s shoulders before the first lyric had landed.

The energy was set by an electric team of openers: Slugger, Haywire, and The Aggrolites, who properly got the crowd ready for a night of high energy, punk rock. The Dropkick Murphys setlist focused on fan favorites, but everything felt so much more real then the recorded versions. They hit on the old classics such as “The Boys Are Back” and "I'm Shipping Up To Boston” while also weaving in some new hits like “Citizen I.C.E.” and “Who’ll Stand With Us”

The band’s lineup brought together a mix of punk urgency and traditional instrumentation that defines their sound. Ken Casey led the charge on vocals, acting as both frontman and crowd conductor throughout the night. Tim Brennan handled guitars while also rotating between accordion, and backing vocals, adding much of the Celtic texture. Jeff DaRosa contributed guitars along with banjo reinforcing the folk influence that cuts through the heavier moments. Matt Kelly anchored the performance on drums and percussion while providing additional vocals. James Lynch filled out the sound on guitar and vocals. On bass, Kevin Rheault supplied the low end that gave the faster songs their punch, while Campbell Webster delivered the unmistakable sound of bagpipes and Uilleann pipes, an element that made the live performance feel both traditional and explosive at the same time.

Production wise, the stage was kept fairly simple. Lighting changes did most of the visual work, moving between warm tones and bright colors without relying on busy screens or effects. Ken Casey could often be seen standing on a platform in front of the pit interacting and singing with those in the crowd, bringing in a collaborative and intimate feeling to the set. That simplicity kept the attention on the performance itself. It was a perfect representation of the band's raw energy and loud passion. 

What stood out most was how communal the entire show felt. People were constantly moving, clapping, shouting, and even crowdsurfing on one another. By the final stretch, voices were hoarse and the floor felt like it had been in motion all night. Walking out, there was an understanding that no one had just watched a performance, but instead experienced it. That balance of intensity, tradition, and shared experience is what made the night stick long after the last song ended.

Photos and Review by Landry Hutchens