'Streaming Outta Fenway': Dropkick Murphys play live with guest Bruce Springsteen, fans say they 'killed it'
With many bands turning to virtual performances to keep fans entertained during the coronavirus pandemic, it isn't going to stop some from being confined to their homes to produce a performance. Roots-punk legends Dropkick Murphys, with help from Bruce Springsteen, wore Red Sox shirts as they played to an empty Fenway Park in their 'Streaming Outta Fenway' show on Friday night, May 29. There were no coronavirus social-distancing measures being disregarded here as the group strictly followed the guidelines and performed apart from each other on the field. The concert show benefited the Boston Resiliency Fund, Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston and Feeding America.
A few cameras (flying drones included), Springsteen on the jumbotron (who joined from his music studio at his New Jersey farm), and a Fenway Park void of an audience were what made up the firey concert. The band performed from separate spots on the baseball diamond while only co-lead singers Al Barr and Ken Casey moved around the field while keeping a safe distance.
“It’s just the Dropkick Murphys here, sneaking into Fenway for a little concert,” Casey said, according to Rolling Stone. The Dropkick Murphys played a full-length set, from the new Clash tribute 'Mick Jones Nicked My Pudding' to a blazing 'Amazing Grace' to their smash 'Shipping Out to Boston.' Springsteen's performance arrived near the end of the streamed concert, his first plugged-in, full-band performance since the Covid-19 pandemic started.
Fans, although a little confused by the late arrival, saying, "Late like most punk shows? Lol," rocked out to the performance, including a 70-year-old woman. "Who’d have thought a 70-year-old woman would be headbanging to the Dropkick Murphys but I love them. Great to see Fenway again!" she said. "I don’t know what it’s making me miss more: baseball or live concerts, but it’s pretty f**king great, regardless!" said a fan while another wrote, "Really enjoying this. I wasn’t a fan but that was based on nothing. Their musicianship, passion, and talent is clear. And it makes me really proud to live in Mass - love it!" Another fan said they are "Killing it!"
(The Springsteen segment can be seen starting at 2:14:00.)