📍 ACL Live — Feb. 19, 2026
Written by Perrin Boyd
Photos by Ralph Arvesen

ACL Live at Moody Theater was revamped into a boisterous Irish pub on steroids during the Dropkick Murphys' sold-out show on Thursday. Every seat from the floor to the rafters was claimed, with fans packing the venue wall to wall in a sea of green shamrocks, Boston Bruins jerseys, and Celtic knots. The crowd ready to drink, dance, and mosh the night away. Celebrating over 30 years since forming in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1996, the pioneers of the Celtic punk genre delivered a masterclass in blending high-energy punk rock with traditional Irish instrumentation, creating working-class anthems that resonate with themes of solidarity, struggle, and unbreakable spirit.

The Dropkick Murphys' sound is unmistakable aggressive punk riffs fused with bagpipes, accordions, banjos, and mandolins, all underpinned by raw, shouted vocals that demand participation from those present. Hailing from the working neighborhoods around Boston, they've spent three decades honing a style that's equal parts streetwise rebellion and heartfelt Irish folk tradition. Their music doesn't just play, it rallies, turning the show into a celebration of the underdog. This Austin performance captured that essence perfectly, with the venue transforming into a rowdy yet welcoming space where strangers became comrades in the pit. Non-stop dancing erupted across the floor, crowd-surfing bodies sailed overhead like human waves, and a massive mosh pit churned relentlessly, yet the energy never felt hostile. Everyone was in it together, united by the music's infectious spirit.

The band's instrumental prowess was on full display throughout the night. Every guitar riff cut sharp and true, the bass thumped with authority, and the drums drove the momentum like a heartbeat on overdrive. But it was the traditional elements.. bagpipes wailing, accordions pumping and banjos picking that gave the sound its authenticity. Nothing felt gimmicky or fake, every note rang real and powerful. At the center of it all was Ken Casey, whose fierce energy turned the stage into an extension of the crowd. With his gravelly shouts and relentless crowd engagement, Casey riled up the audience like few frontmen can: pointing to every corner, yelling to the mosh, and leading chants that echoed through the theater. His ability to command the room was magnetic, making even the back rows feel part of the front-line frenzy.

The setlist was a mix of old favorites, newer tracks, and a few choice covers, clocking in at a solid hour and a half of heavy hitters. It kicked off with the anthemic Deeds Not Words, setting an immediate tone of defiance. The place absolutely erupted on the second song, The State of Massachusetts, with big mosh pits going at it and voices uniting in the chorus.

Classics like The Boys Are Back, Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya, and Rose Tattoo had the crowd in a frenzy, while The Green Fields of France (the Eric Bogle cover) provided one of those intimate acoustic moments that showcased the band's softer, reflective side.

Tracks such as Who'll Stand With Us?, Citizen I.C.E. showcased their stance on political injustices and all wrongdoing currently going on in the world. What sets Dropkick Murphys apart isn't just their music; it's their unapologetic stance against injustice. For years, they've used their platform to combat cruel politics, championing workers' rights, immigrants, and the underdog.

The pinnacle came with "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," - it stands as one of the greatest hype-up songs of all time, and witnessing it live was pure pandemonium. It's the kind of track that possesses the moment, turning any room into an extension of a raucous Boston bar fight crossed with a revolutionary rally. In Austin, far from the band's home turf, the energy felt close to it. Texans embracing the Boston bravado like long-lost kin, beers raised high as everyone shipped up together.

The night came to a rowdy end with The Big Man as the closer, unleashing one of the most entertaining and ferocious mosh pits I've seen. Bodies flying, masses running in circles, shoes being lost. Amidst the mayhem, a quick trip to the bar revealed the true scale of the revelry: I’d overheard the bartender telling a fan they'd run out of a particular Irish whiskey, and I'd wager the beer and whiskey tally that night is up there for venue records. In a city known for its live music scene, Dropkick Murphys turned the Moody Theater into a temporary Boston-Irish stronghold, proving once again why they've endured for 30 years. It was a communal uprising of working-class pride, delivered with precision, passion, and pints aplenty.