16 Years Ago, Dropkick Murphys and the Bosstones Played in Maine

If there was a sky cam shot of downtown Portland, Maine, on June 11, 2008, I bet all we would have seen is buildings and green people walking around from bar to bar.

If you were at the Cumberland County Civic Center (now known as the Cross Insurance Arena) that night, you probably remember an explosive performance as two iconic bands, the Dropkick Murphys and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, took the stage.

The evening kicked off with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the pioneers of ska-core, who set the tone for a rambunctious evening. With his unmistakable gravelly voice, frontman Dicky Barrett led the band through a setlist that had fans skanking and singing along. The classics had the crowd bouncing.

As the Dropkick Murphys took the stage, the energy in the Civic Center soared to new heights. Known for their raucous Celtic punk sound, the Murphys did not disappoint. From the opening chords of "The State of Massachusetts," the audience was swept into a frenzy of fist-pumping and foot-stomping, that led right into "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya", the powerful Irish anti-war song. Lead singer Al Barr's raw, powerful vocals and the band's insane energy turned the venue into a sea of singing, dancing, and moshing fans, with each song showcasing the Boston boys' Irish roots.

This was one of those shows where fans across New England came together. I remember having drinks before the show with some people who flew in from the West Coast. This was one of those shows that was more than just a music event. It was a testament to the enduring hardcore punk and ska fanbase.

Whether you missed out or want to relive the mayhem, I was able to track down some pretty awesome video footage from that night, so enjoy!