Every year George Street celebrates Canada’s birthday with a two-night extravaganza to kick off summer. For those unfamiliar with George Street, it is located in the center of downtown St. John’s, NL. Its claim to fame is being one of the premier entertainment districts in North America with two blocks of bars, pubs, and restaurants. Night one graced the street with At Ships End and Dropkick Murphys.
At Ships End was formed in St. John’s, NL in the early to mid-2000s. The band started out as a seven-piece Folk//Rock band featuring a variety of traditional instruments including banjo, fiddle, and a tin whistle as an ode to traditional Newfoundland and Irish elements.
The weather was not in their favour for the set as the rain started just as At Ships End graced the outdoor stage. Seeing the band perform was a treat for many as this was their first show in about ten years. They started their set with ‘Jack of All Trades’, an original track from their album Awake. Other original tracks included “Cold Black Heart,” “Castle Kelly” and “Awake.” The band also played some covers, including a song called “Paint the Town Red” and a cover of a song by the legendary Ron Hynes. The set finished with “Drinking My Life Away.” This night was definitely a treat for those who followed At Ships End in the past.
Dropkick Murphys took the headlining spot for the night. Hailing from Massachusetts, this American Celtic punk band is comprised of Ken Casey (co-lead vocals, bass, backing vocals), Matt Kelly (drums, bodhran, backing vocals), James Lynch (rhythm guitar, backing vocals, lead guitar), Tim Brennan (lead guitar, accordion), and Jeff DaRosa (banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, rhythm guitar, keyboard, piano, harmonica, tin whistle, backing vocals). The band had their first mainstream hit in 2004 with “Tessie.” They continued their success with “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” a track that was featured in the 2006 film The Departed and ended up being the band’s only platinum-selling single to date.
“Cadence to Arms” started their set off strong, before breaking into “The Boys Are Back.” A true anthem to let everyone know that Dropkick Murphys are indeed back to Newfoundland for a time. Other songs that excited the audience included “Middle Finger,” “Good as Gold,” “Turn Up That Dial” and
First Class Lover.” The band also played a few covers, including “The Fields of Athenry” by Pete St. John and “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a Rodgers & Hammerstein cover.
During a Dropkick Murphys’ the energy in the crowd is a memorable one (for both the audience and the band) and you never know what is going to happen. It was mentioned that one of the last times the band visited Newfoundland and George Street, they shaved their head for childhood cancer. That was another great show!
The band finished up with a few popular tunes, including “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” and “Worker’s Song.” As always, the crowd was not ready to let the band finish for the night, and as always, the band had a few extra tunes up their sleeves. “Rose Tattoo” and “Kiss Me, I’m Shiftfaced” finished up the evening, no doubt with a sing-a-long as the audience tried to drag out their goodbyes.
