You'd recognise that riff even if you'd never heard the band's name before. The gallop of drums, wailing bagpipes, a roaring chorus and Leonardo DiCaprio doing push-ups in a cell. That's "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" from the opening of Scorsese's The Departed, and it's the work of a band now set to play a Dropkick Murphys Prague concert, specifically at Areál 7 in Holešovice. And right off the bat, a fact that might raise your eyebrows: the lyrics of this punk anthem weren't written by anyone in the band. They were written by folk singer Woody Guthrie, who had been dead for over thirty years by the time the song came together. Dropkick Murphys took a few lines from a legend of the American songwriting tradition and turned them into a hymn that stadiums bellow today.

Dropkick Murphys Prague 2026: when, where and what to expect

Dropkick Murphys Prague means a summer open air at Areál 7 in Holešovice. If you love wild punk with bagpipes and mass sing-alongs, this is your place.

The date and venue are set. The concert takes place on 5 August 2026 at Prague's Areál 7 in Holešovice, an outdoor space that suits this kind of loud summer show perfectly. Our calendar also lists a second date, 19 August 2026 at the same venue, so if the first August date doesn't work for you, you have a second chance. Full information about the artist and any additional dates can be found on the Dropkick Murphys profile.

Why go at all? This is not a band for quiet listening through headphones. Their strength lies in what happens in front of the stage. The band is known for its loud, energetic concerts, and that's not a line from a flyer - it's the whole point. The audience knows the lyrics by heart and sings them along with the band, turning an ordinary concert into something more like a collective ritual. If you want to compare dates or weigh them up against other summer events in advance, our concerts overview will come in handy.

Where they came from: a barber shop basement in Quincy

The band was founded in 1996 in Quincy near Boston, rehearsing in the basement of a friend's barber shop. The name comes from an obscure figure from the World War II era.

Dropkick Murphys are an Irish-American Celtic punk band founded in 1996 in Quincy, Massachusetts. Their beginnings were genuinely garage-level. They first played together in the basement of a friend's barber shop, mixing traditional Irish music, Oi! and punk. That address still means something to them. When they played a free show in Quincy for the city's anniversary, they spoke about how much the place had grown on them. They played to a crowd of thousands on Hancock Street, right near where the band first rehearsed in 1996.

Bassist and chief songwriter Ken Casey is the one constant throughout the band's lineup. He is the only continuous member of the band since its formation. Casey is the primary songwriter, one of the vocalists and the former bassist of the Boston Celtic punk group Dropkick Murphys. Many musicians have passed through, the sound has shifted, but the backbone has stayed the same.

And the name? It comes from a real figure whose name nobody would guess today. The band is named after John "Dropkick" Murphy of Acton, an osteopath, professional wrestler and owner of a rehabilitation clinic for alcoholics during the World War II era. More than one story about the name's origin circulates, but this one is the best.

The sound: punk, bagpipes and working-class pride

They blend British Oi!, American hardcore and traditional Irish music. Bagpipes, mandolin and tin whistle in a punk context - that's their trademark. And they play for workers, not just about them.

Early on they were a straightforward punk outfit shaped by bands like the Pogues, the Clash and Stiff Little Fingers. Early influences included punk groups such as Swingin' Utters, Ramones, Clash and Sex Pistols, as well as the Pogues and Irish bands like Stiff Little Fingers and Dubliners. The turning point came with the 2001 album Sing Loud, Sing Proud!. The record showed their maturing sound as they moved beyond being a four-piece punk band, and brought collaborations with Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan and Colin McFaull of Cock Sparrer. From that moment on, Celtic punk with bagpipes, tin whistle and mandolin became their calling card.

What do they sing about? Things they know up close. And it doesn't stop at lyrics. Dropkick Murphys are known for their support of labour and union causes and have a firm relationship with the AFL-CIO. They take that stance literally. All T-shirts the band sells are 100% union-made in the USA, to demonstrate support for American workers.

Casey likes to compare his own approach to the classics. He once said the band's goal is to be the "AC/DC of Celtic punk", because the worst thing they could do to loyal fans is suddenly want to be Fall Out Boy with bagpipes. In other words: if it works, you don't change it. And things keep moving. The latest album For the People was released on 4 July 2025, it is their thirteenth studio record and marks the return of long-time vocalist Al Barr, who appears on one song. Barr had been on a hiatus since 2022.

The song the whole world knows

"I'm Shipping Up to Boston" broke through thanks to The Departed. The lyrics were written by Woody Guthrie, the band set them to music, and Casey found them on a scrap of paper in an archive.

This is where a local Boston band became a global name. The original version of the song was released in 2004 on the compilation Give 'Em the Boot IV and re-recorded for the 2005 album The Warrior's Code; the song then gained worldwide attention through its use in the 2006 film The Departed. It ended up being their biggest success of all. The track earned them their first and only platinum single.

The story behind the lyrics is almost cinematic in itself. Nora Guthrie, the legendary songwriter's daughter, invited Casey into the family archive. The lyrics come from a scrap of paper that Ken Casey came across while going through Guthrie's archives. Casey recalls suddenly stumbling upon "I'm Shipping Up To Boston", which has just five lines. The simple verses describe a sailor who lost his wooden leg climbing the rigging and is heading to Boston to find it. Casey and the band dressed those few lines in bagpipes and drums, and that was that.

How the song ended up with Scorsese is still something of a mystery. According to drummer Matt Kelly, several legends circulate about how the director came across it - some mention Robbie Robertson of The Band, others say Leonardo DiCaprio suggested they use the song. The irony is that Hollywood is what finally made the band noticed at home. Kelly put it plainly. In Boston people had previously reacted with "Dropkick who?", and appearing in The Departed finally put them on the map and "legitimised" them in Boston.

Today the song is woven into American sport. It was played during the Super Bowl broadcast in 2015 when the New England Patriots were playing. The band has never hidden where they belong. The group is well known for its ties to football club Celtic, baseball's Boston Red Sox and hockey's Boston Bruins.

What to expect from the Dropkick Murphys Prague concert

Expect noise, bagpipes and an audience that sings every word. Areál 7 is an outdoor venue, so this is a classic summer open air.

Dropkick Murphys live is a different discipline from listening at home. In nearly thirty years the band has toured the world countless times and their reputation rests precisely on their live shows. The band built its name through relentless touring around the world and its famous St. Patrick's Day performances held in Boston. The audience that knows the lyrics and treats the mosh pit as part of the experience will be coming with them.

The setlist typically builds toward what everyone is waiting for. "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" is the closing weapon and Casey hasn't tired of it after all these years. He says himself that the beauty of the song is that it lasts only two minutes and leaves you wanting more. Anyone who wants to get a feel for things in advance should put on The Warrior's Code or the current For the People, so the lyrics don't feel unfamiliar on the night.

Practical notes on the venue: Areál 7 is located in Holešovice and is an outdoor space, so the show is played in the open air. Always check the official event page for the exact start time, support act information and tickets, whether you're going to the 5 August or 19 August date. Both dates have their own profile with up-to-date details.

Frequently asked questions

When and where are Dropkick Murphys playing in Prague?

According to our calendar they will perform at Areál 7 in Prague's Holešovice on 5 August 2026; the second date is 19 August 2026 at the same venue. Current times and tickets can be found on the event page.

Where do I know their most famous song from?

Almost certainly from Martin Scorsese's film The Departed. "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" plays right at the start and recurs throughout the film. The lyrics were written by Woody Guthrie and the band composed the music.

What genre do Dropkick Murphys actually play?

Celtic punk is the most common label. In practice it's a blend of British Oi!, American hardcore and traditional Irish music, recognisable by bagpipes, mandolin and tin whistle layered over punk guitars.

Is it worth going even if I don't know them?

Yes, and you don't need to know a single song. Their concerts run on energy and communal singing, so you'll get swept up easily. If you listen to a few of their hits beforehand, your evening will be all the better for it.

How long has the band actually been around?

Since 1996, when they formed in Quincy near Boston. In that time they have released thirteen studio albums and Ken Casey has been the only continuous member throughout.

Where to go next and where to buy tickets

Now you know what you're getting into: Celtic punk with bagpipes, working-class pride and an audience that knows every line. You have the dates of 5 and 19 August 2026 at Areál 7 in mind - all that's left is to secure tickets. Always buy through the official event channels to avoid touts and inflated prices. You can find an overview of other concerts in the concerts section, and tips for summer open airs among festivals in Prague. If you just want to browse what's coming up where, open the events calendar or the artists overview. Dropkick Murphys Prague is the obvious choice for anyone who wants to experience punk sung at the top of their lungs.

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