- Who: Flogging Molly
- Where: Whelan’s Irish Pub, Dublin, Ireland
- When: March 17, 2021
What could be a more fitting way to spend St Patrick’s Day than by watching Flogging Molly perform from the Emerald Isle? Â The band put on a lively performance at the famous Whelan’s Irish Pub in Dublin, Ireland which was livestreamed for the world to enjoy. The world watched from Los Angeles to Detroit to Boston to Sweden, Greece, England, Finland, Serbia, Slovenia, Germany, and elsewhere around the globe.
The Celtic Punk band was founded in 1997 in Los Angeles by Dublin-born musician David King. It is comprised of Dave King (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, bodhran), Bridget Regan (violin, tin whistle, vocals), Dennis Casey (guitar, vocals), Matt Hensley (accordion, concertina, vocals), Nathen Maxwell (bass guitar, vocals), Spencer Swain (mandolin, banjo, guitar, vocals), and Mike Alonso (drums, percussion). They are known for songs like âRequiem for a Dying Songâ, âFloatâ, and âDonât Shut âEm Downâ.
Flogging Mollyâs members all currently reside in different cities. Dave King and wife, Bridget Regan, split their time between their hometowns of Dublin, Ireland and Detroit, Michigan (shout out to my home state). As the US was beginning to lockdown in March 2020, King and Regan hurriedly boarded a plane and flew to Dublin where they have been residing since. This livestream was the first time all the band members have been together in a year, but they didnât appear to miss a beat.
The band has released 6 studio albums, Swagger (2000), Drunken Lullabies (2002), Within A Mile of Home (2004), Speed of Darkness (2011), and Life is Good (2017). Their set included songs from each of the albums with a heavy dose from Drunken Lullabies and Swagger. King is not as young as he once was and his hair has lost some of its redness, but he still manages to put on a fiery performance. The stage is his happy place and he made up for the last year on this night. This was the first time the band has played in Dublin on St. Patrickâs Day and Kingâs passion for performing was evident.
Dave King is the front man for the band, but he gave the other band members a chance to share the spotlight. Bassist Nathen Maxwell flashed a punk attitude when he shared lead vocals with King on âThe Days Weâve Yet to Meetâ. Regan took the lead on âA Prayer for Me in Silenceâ along with her husband. He also singled out Hensley, Swain, Casey, and Alonso letting each showcase their skills.
Flogging Mollyâs fast paced Irish punk sound was on display all night. Whereas traditional punk bands strip down their instrumentation, Flogging Molly infuses traditional Irish instruments into their music to get their unique sound. Violin, accordion, and mandolin along with drums, acoustic and electric guitar and bass are central to their sound and were heard on most songs. Regan traded her violin for a tin whistle, which is similar to a recorder, for âRebels of the Sacred Heartâ and âDevilâs Dance Floorâ. McSwain pulled out a banjo for âDrunken Lullabiesâ.  King used a bodhran, which is a frame hand drum, on the nightâs last song, âBlack Friday Ruleâ.
On this night, the 25% Irish in me broke its self-imposed prohibition and downed a couple pints of Irish Ale while enjoying the show. I was not alone in this endeavor. The band sipped Bushmills Irish Whiskey, while the pints of gat (Guinness for you non-Irish) were appreciatively supplied to them throughout the performance. From the conversation in the chat room, Guinness was the drink of the night for the audience. There was plenty of âslainteâ (toasts) throughout the show by fans. I am sure there were many a fluthered soul by the end of the show. It was a Grand Ould Time.
Mosh pits are part of a typical Flogging Molly concert. There was no live audience at this show but fans watching the livestream were having their own virtual mosh pits to imitate being at the show. One person posting on the livestream chat said âMoshing in my heart. My wife and I met in a Flogging Molly mosh pit 10 years ago this monthâ. Other chat comments included âIâm moshing by myself in my dining room, quietly, b/c my husband is on a work callâ, âDefinitely the best way to introduce Flogging Molly to my coworkers by blaring this show in my officeâ, âSooooooo fukin goooooooodâ, âMerci de realiser ce live. Vous etes excellentsâ, âTHANK YOU ALL FOR DOING THIS!!! THE WHISKEY IS FLOWING THROUGH ME VEINS IN OTTAWA CANADA!!!â. It was obvious that the audience loved the show.
Seeing Flogging Molly live in person would be a great experience, but this live stream experience was the next best thing. While the experience would be enhanced by having the excitement of a live crowd, the band still managed to put on a fantastic performance. This was my first opportunity to see the band and Iâm looking forward to being able to see them in-person one day in the future from the photo pit.
The livestream is available through March 21st. Tickets can be purchased here. A portion of the bandâs proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to a favorite charity of theirs, Sweet Reliefâs COVID-19 Crew Fund, which supports road crew members grounded and out of work during the global pandemic.
Setlist
- The Likes of You Again
- Swagger
- Selfish Man
- The Hand of John L Sullivan
- Another Bag of Bricks
- Whistles the Wind
- Paddy’s Lament
- Drunken Lullabies
- The Days We’ve Yet to Meet
- Float
- A Prayer for Me in Silence
- Tobacco Island
- Rebels of the Sacred Heart
- Devil’s Dance Floor
- If U Ever Leave This World Alive
- The Seven Deadly Sins
- Crushed (Hostile Nations)
- Salty Dog
- What’s Left of the Flag
- So Sail
- The Spoken Wheel
- Black Friday Rule
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Post by Scott Raymer (Website | Instagram | Facebook)
Did you attend this livestream? Comment below.
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