Dropkick Murphys launched their nationwide From Boston To Berkeley Tour with co-headliners Rancid last week in Bangor, Maine, and shows are selling out across the country. The month-long trek marks the first time the bands have toured together after a long and important history together. Each night culminates with a unique joint encore featuringDropkick Murphys and Rancid sharing the stage for a mix of vintage punk and classic rock covers.
The From Boston To Berkeley Tour also provides a special opportunity for those in attendance. Two From Boston To Berkeley Tour Charity Challenge Coins – one featuring Dropkick Murphys and one featuring Rancid — will be available exclusively at the merch booth throughout the tour. The proceeds from each $20 coin donation will be split between The Claddagh Fund (www.CladdaghFund.org) and Musack (www.Musack.org).
Dropkick Murphys and Rancid are joined by openers The Bouncing Souls and Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers) for From Boston To Berkeley Tour dates through August 9, and The Selecter and Kevin Seconds (7 Seconds) will open shows from August 11 through the tour’s conclusion at the It’s Not Dead festival in Southern California on August 26.
Dropkick Murphys are touring in support of their 11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory album, released through the band’s own Born & Bred Records earlier this year. There’s a feeling of purpose throughout the album, influenced by the band’s work with The Claddagh Fund, a charity the band established in 2009 to help support addiction recovery as well as children’s and veterans’ organizations. Dropkick Murphys are hands-on in raising funds, mentoring, and lending a helping hand with veterans, youth sports, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Many of the songs reflect these experiences, and the band’s sadness, anger and dismay at the opiate epidemic ravaging the country — in particular, Boston and New England — and also their feeling of pride and optimism at the sight of those who have turned their lives around.
The upcoming From Boston To Berkeley Tour dates are as follows:
| 8/2/17 | Pittsburgh, PA | Stage AE (Sold Out) |
| 8/3/17 | Philadelphia, PA | Festival Pier (Sold Out) |
| 8/4/17 | Asbury Park, NJ | Stone Pony Summer Stage (Sold Out) |
| 8/5/17 | Brockton (Boston), MA | Brockton Fairgrounds |
| 8/6/17 | Brooklyn, NY | Ford Amphitheatre at Coney Island Boardwalk (Sold Out) |
| 8/8/17 | Chicago, IL | Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island |
| 8/9/17 | Milwaukee, WI | BMO Harris Pavilion |
| 8/11/17 | Denver, CO | Sculpture Park |
| 8/12/17 | Salt Lake City, UT | Saltair |
| 8/13/17 | Nampa, ID | Idaho Center Amphitheatre |
| 8/15/17 | Vancouver, BC | Thunderbird Arena |
| 8/16/17 | Seattle, WA | WaMu Theater at Century Link Field Events Center |
| 8/18/17 | San Luis Obispo, CA | Avila Beach |
| 8/19/17 | Sacramento, CA | Memorial Auditorium (Sold Out) |
| 8/20/17 | Berkeley, CA | The Greek |
| 8/22/17 | Chandler (Phoenix), AZ | Rawhide Event Center |
| 8/24/17 | San Diego, CA | Petco Park, Park At The Park |
| 8/25/17 | Las Vegas, NV | Downtown Las Vegas Events Center |
| 8/26/17 | San Bernardino, CA | Glen Helen Amphitheater (It’s Not Dead Festival) |