What’s the perfect game plan when it’s two weeks from St. Patrick’s Day? A kick-ass, sold out Flogging Molly show, that’s what. Jannus Live played host to one of the most iconic Irish punk rock bands, and boy did it deliver. After pocketing myself into a back corner, I was able to get a great look at the bands, the people and the pandemonium the ensued within the jam-packed venue. The opening performer, Ian Ferguson had his entire acoustic set swallowed up amongst the noise of several hundred Irish (and not-so-Irish) drunks chanting for their headline performer. Following Ferguson was a band by the name of Jon Snodgrass and Friends, a trio of guys who knew how to rip the guitar. The trio’s set was great, and I definitely suggest taking a listen.
Once Flogging Molly was set up and ready to play, the entire venue buzzed with energy. The screams of 30-somethings, chants of “Erin go Bragh” and other murmurings that were lost in translation. It’d be unfair to say that Flogging Molly kicked ass because it was more like a wallop to the face. It absolutely demolished the place by the end of the first song, and the group would drag you down and make you beg for more. Its setlist was comprised with newer tracks, as well as older, more iconic tunes. Dave King, the band’s frontman knew exactly how to work his crowd, claiming that the band has played Jannus Live “hundreds of fucking times.”
I spoke to some concertgoers during the show and a one of them told me that she remembers seeing Flogging Molly when it was the opening band, not even the main act, and that the band killed it then.
By the end of the night kilts were flapping freely, the whole place was step-dancing and everyone was pumping green blood and alcohol through their veins at a steady 120 beats per minute. It was amazing, and it was a great night to be a pale pasty Irishman.
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