Flogging Molly kicks off St. Patrick’s Day a week early at The Uptown

Flogging Molly. // photo by Allison Scavo

Flogging Molly
with Amigo the Devil and Gen and the Degenerates
Uptown Theater
Friday, March 8

Formed in Los Angeles in 1994, Celtic punk band Flogging Molly is still making waves. Native born Irish lead singer Dave King busted out from backstage as members of the band quickly followed behind to kick the set off with an intense version of “Seven Deadly Sins.” We all knew it was going to be an energetic night if this was the opener. Handing a Guinness to a crowd member simply because “he came to the last show and was wearing the same shirt” just shows how they not only pay attention but genuinely care. Dave also made note of celebrating International Women’s Day, then introduced his bandmate and wife, Bridget, who plays flute and violin. The band celebrates with their fans, who they adore deeply. I first saw them in 2009 and their energy is just as high now as it was 14 years ago. If you can’t catch them this tour, fret not for they host an annual cruise, Salty Dog, which is already in motion for Feb 17-22, 2025.

Amigo the Devil. // photo by Allison Scavo

Since Amigo the Devil last came to Kansas City in October the band released a new album, Yours Until The War Is Over, in February. Not only are the songs extremely emotional, but some found the lyrics to be triggering while others found it healing. The band played some of those new songs, specifically “Cannibal Within” about addiction and the heartbreak that comes with it.

My son, 13 years old, looked at me after my three songs with tears in his eyes and said “I’ll never touch a drug. I don’t want you to bury me.” This heavy message touched the entire audience, who has essentially formed their own community we defensively refer to as Not A Cult. This strong fanbase supports each other on various forums throughout life’s troubles both large and small – especially once this tear-jerking album came out.

Don’t let the makeshift therapy session fool you though; lead singer Danny told hilarious stories about why and how he came to write lyrics such as “I hope your husband dies” and encouraged the whole audience to chant – I mean sing – along. If they could stop laughing, that is. Amigo the Devil is the epitome of entertainment: no matter the varying emotions we expressed, we were all collectively expressing it together.

Gen and the Degenerates. // photo by Allison Scavo

Gen and the Degenerates is a hard rock punk band from Liverpool. The band was personable and interactive with the audience in between songs of their debut album Anti-Fun Propaganda which was released in 2023. Gen and the Degenerates opened the show with an emergency alarm that made rail riders jump back like kitty cats followed by a collective sigh of relief.

Their wild and chaotic energy vitalized the audience, after scaring the shit out of them of course.

Flogging Molly

Flogging Molly setlist
Molly Malone
Drunken Lullabies
Another Bag of Bricks
The Hand of John L. Sullivan
Swagger
(Try) Keep the Man Down
Whistles the Wind
Life in a Tenement Square
A Song of Liberty
Tobacco Island
Float
The Croppy Boy ’98
Rebels of the Sacred Heart
Devil’s Dance Floor
Crushed (Hostile Nations)
These Times Have Got Me Drinking / Tripping Up the Stairs
Salty Dog
What’s Left of the Flag
—
The Old Main Drag (The Pogues cover)
Seven Deadly Sins

Amigo the Devil

Amigo the Devil setlist
It’s All Gone
Once Upon a Time at Texaco Pt. 1
Cannibal Within
The Weight
I Hope Your Husband Dies
Hungover in Jonestown
Banjo Solo
Hell and You
Another Man’s Grave
Murder at the Bingo Hall

Gen and the Degenerates