Flogging Molly, Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls and Chuck Ragan
Showbox SoDo, Seattle, WA
08.01.16
A long line of hyped-up fans stretched down the street in front of Showbox SoDo waiting eagerly to get inside as the sun set on Seattle. The crowd ranged from older fans in weathered leather, to younger teens with their edgy haircuts and newly-ripped jeans, all wanting in and all ready to rock for the sold out Flogging Molly show.
First up was Chuck Ragan, original singer for Hot Water Music. Reagan’s raspy voice accompanied by some harmonica solos echoed though the already packed venue. His version of folk rock had a more mellow rock sound but got the crowd primed for the next opening act.
Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls rocked right out of the gate. Front man Turner sweat all the way through his white shirt within two songs. Playing their 1939th show, it was obvious these veterans knew what they were doing. They are a headliner in their own right, with a unique folk meets rock meets grunge sound and high energy. Turner got the crowd riled up and dancing in preparation for Flogging Molly to take the stage, “You probably haven’t heard of the next band, not that big of a deal, haven’t been around for a while. They are showing a lot of promise,” he jeered before parting ways. Turner jumped off the stage and spent the final song crowd surfing.
With Flogging Molly, the evening of Celtic rock continued. Still fresh and full of energy, night two of their tour was as smooth as a Guinness. Starting off with some of their most popular songs, like “Drunken Lullabies,” you could feel the whole room shake. A sweaty, intense mosh-pitting crowd spread from the center outwards, growing and sucking people into the middle. Everyone near the stage was jumping, clapping, and chanting along. Front man Dave King moved about the stage throwing his hands in the air and keeping the fans riled up. He looked like the happiest Irishman alive. How could you not be your most joyous self when playing music with as much energy as Flogging Molly? Standing in the back you could see people dancing an Irish jig all by themselves.
The most lively performers on stage were bass player Nathan Maxwell and guitarist Dennis Casey. Both showed a lot of emotion in their faces when playing. Maxwell often screamed the lyrics back at the fans. Casey hit it off with epic guitar riffs and solos, especially during one of the oldest Flogging Molly songs, “Black Friday Rule.” Each band member except the drummer left the stage to let Casey do his thing as he moved around the stage.
King shared some family background that was the basis of many songs. He also mixed in some jokes, keeping the crowd laughing and entertained throughout the set. Sipping on his cup of Guinness and noting that his father would roll over in his grave if he knew he was drinking Guinness out of a red plastic cup. The night ended with Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls returning to the stage to help Flogging Molly finish the show.
Review by Allie Leaf
Photos by Logan Westom
Flogging Molly
Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls
