Shipping Up to Raleigh: Dropkick Murphys Sells Out The Ritz In Raleigh, NC.
On a night when The Ritz in Raleigh, NC, pulsed at full capacity with a sold-out crowd hungry for sweat, sing-alongs, and a little St. Patrick’s Day mayhem, the For The People In The Pit tour didn’t just roll through town; it detonated. Long before the first note rang out, the floor was already alive with anticipation, boots planted shoulder-to-shoulder and fists twitching in the air, ready for impact. From the first strike of the opening band to the final, thunderous chorus, the night unfolded as a relentless celebration of grit, groove, and working-class catharsis, the kind of show that leaves the walls sweating and the crowd walking out hoarse, bruised, and completely satisfied.
Slugger
Before the Celtic roar of the main event, Slugger stormed the stage at The Ritz in Raleigh like they had something to prove, and by the end of their set, they absolutely had. The up-and-coming punk outfit wasted no time igniting the early crowd, delivering a blistering, sweat-soaked performance packed with gritty riffs, pounding drums, and a swagger that felt far bigger than an opening slot. Their sound was raw but tight, reckless but controlled. The kind of controlled chaos that pulls people off the barstools and pushes them toward the barricade. By the time they wrapped, the pit was already churning, and Raleigh knew the fuse had officially been lit.
Haywire
Haywire followed with a set that doubled down on sheer intensity and precision. Their brand of hardcore came in sharp, compact bursts, chugging riffs, pummeling drums, and vocals that cut through the room like a warning siren. There was a no-frills authenticity to their performance; no gimmicks, no wasted motion. There was just pure, driving aggression delivered with discipline and grit. The breakdowns landed heavy, drawing the crowd into tighter circles as fists punched the air in rhythm, and each song felt like it built on the last, stacking tension and release with calculated force. Haywire didn’t just maintain the momentum; they sharpened it, tightening the coil of energy in the room and setting the stage for the night’s larger spectacle.
The Aggrolites
Then came the undeniable groove of The Aggrolites, who brought a completely different but equally infectious energy to the bill. Blending reggae rhythms with punk attitude, they transformed the room’s chaos into a skanking, swaying sea of movement. Where the previous bands fueled the shove of the pit, The Aggrolites added bounce and swagger, their basslines thick and warm, their keys shimmering over the crowd like a laid-back invitation to move. It was a reminder that rebellion doesn’t always sprint, but that sometimes it grooves, and Raleigh embraced every second of it.
Dropkick Murphys
Finally, the bagpipes rang out, and the house erupted as Dropkick Murphys took the stage. From the first note, the floor transformed into a heaving, joyous storm of flailing limbs, shouted lyrics, and sweat-drenched camaraderie. Classic anthems were screamed back at the band with arena-level volume, turning the venue into one massive singalong fueled by unity, defiance, and a little bit of Irish pride. The band balanced rowdy chaos with heartfelt moments, launching back and forth into breakneck tempos that kept the pit in constant motion. It wasn’t just a concert, it was a celebration, a cathartic release, and a reminder of why live punk shows still feel like sacred ground. By the final chorus, voices were shot, shirts were soaked, and Raleigh had been thoroughly baptized in bagpipes and bruises, exactly how a Dropkick Murphys' tour stop should be.
