Review & Photos: Dropkick Murphys, Bad Religion in Cleveland, Ohio

By David Desin, OOTB Publications

Nestled along the Cleveland waterfront, Jacobs Pavilion offered an unforgettable setting for a summer night of Celtic punk mayhem on August 10, 2025.

The stage glowed beneath the sweeping city skyline, with the Cuyahoga River's nighttime activity—boats silently drifting by—adding a serenely cinematic backdrop to the madness unfolding on stage. Out of all the times I have seen Dropkick Murphy’s, this was probably one of my favorite backdrops.

From the very first power-chord strike, Dropkick Murphys delivered a live performance brimming with vigor and communal spirit. Fans didn’t just watch—they sang along, danced, moshed, chugged some beers and even crowd surfed their way through every song.

One particularly powerful moment came when a concertgoer in a wheelchair was lifted and carried over the crowd—an emotionally charged highlight that perfectly encapsulated the inclusive, larger‑than‑life nature of the evening.

Frontman Ken Casey, the band's steadfast heart and soul, owned every moment—prowling the stage, punching the air, and encouraging the crowd to match his energy wave for wave.

On this night, Dropkick Murphys proved beyond a doubt that they remain top-tier punk-rock performers.

The lineup was stellar:

• Ken Casey – lead vocals

• Tim Brennan – guitars, tin whistle, accordion, piano, vocals

• Jeff DaRosa – guitars, banjo, mandolin, vocals

• Matt Kelly – drums, percussion, vocals

• James Lynch – guitars, vocals

• Kevin Rheault – bass

The setlist was a relentless barrage of signature anthems and newer cuts, balancing nostalgia with raw, unrestrained energy. Moments of collective fury, unity, and celebration filled the air—each riff driving the crowd forward.

Casey’s interactions with fist bumps, singalongs and storytelling made the show feel as it was ferociously loud, a familiar trait fans have come to love.

On that warm Sunday evening beside the river, Dropkick Murphys weren’t just playing a concert, they were staging a communal ritual.

Amid the city lights and murmuring waters, they transformed fans into friends, strangers into brothers-and-sisters-in-arms, and a stage into a pulsing living room of punk catharsis.

The band didn’t miss a beat; Ken Casey and the rest helddown the fort with thunderous authentic.

In short? It was one hell of a show—charged, inclusive, unforgettable—proving once again that Dropkick Murphys are as vital, passionate, and

downright exhilarating as ever.

Get out and catch Dropkick Murphys on the Summer Of Discontent Tour 2025. The band released their 13th studio album, For The People, on the Fourth Of July.

Set List

1. Who’ll Stand With Us

2. The State of Massachusetts

3. Finnegan’s Wake

4. The boys Are Back

5. Longshot

6. Barroom Hero

7. Out of Our Heads

8. Chesterfields & Aftershave

9. Middle Finger

10. Good as Gold

11. Rippin Up the Boundary Line