The first time I saw Chicago’s Flatfoot 56 was at The Space in Hamden, CT in 2009. There couldn’t have been more than twenty people in the room, but Flatfoot belted their songs out like there were a thousand. We in the audience showed our appreciation with sweat, creating a minuscule circle pit in the humble basement venue. The band obliged by ripping out mile-a-minute Celtic punk rock to keep the wheel frantically turning, hardly stopping to rest. I’ll admit I didn’t know much about Flatfoot 56 at the start of that night, but by the end I was totally enamored by their sheer power and commitment to the music.
Flash forward to 2017, and Flatfoot 56 is a premier name in punk rock that has amassed followers by the thousands. As standard-bearers of the Celtic punk genre, their powerful sound and tireless work ethic have brought them around the world and back. But on August 26th they’ll direct their attention to Cambridge, gracing the stage at the Middle East Upstairs with their trad-punk tornado. While I can safely assume the turnout will be much stronger than that summer night in Connecticut, I can fully guarantee that Flatfoot 56 will be giving their all whether there’s five or five thousand.
Coming up in just a couple days, this show also happens to feature a personal favorite of mine in Boston locals Mickey Rickshaw. Their furious Irish punk assault is a perfect set-up for Flatfoot and fans who come expecting a rowdy time will not be disappointed here. Meanwhile the first opener is Foxboro’s The Gobshites, who lean more towards the folk side with traditional instruments and drink-along choruses.
This show is fixing up to be an exhilarating showcase of Celtic punk. So grab your dancin’ shoes and/or a pint and join the fun!
The details: 7:00 PM doors, 18+, $10 adv./$12 door, TICKETS HERE
Listen to the bands:
Flatfoot 56 (Bandcamp)
*Mickey Rickshaw (Bandcamp)
*The Gobshites (Bandcamp)
*indicates an act local to Boston or New England
Boston Punk Rumblings 