Live report DROPKICK MURPHYS, FRANK TURNER and THE SLEEPING SOULS & HAYWIRE, Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg – October 29th, 2025

Heavy traffic and limited parking spaces are the reality you will face when travelling to the Alsterdorfer Sporthalle tonight. Time is ticking and showtime is getting closer. Despite all this, I make it to the venue almost on time, which is crucial since a great line-up of rock and punk bands is playing in Hamburg tonight.

The mighty Dropkick Murphys have made the long trip from Boston to Hamburg, where they will be sharing the stage with Haywire, who are the openers on this tour. The special guest on this road trip is Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls. So, you’d better be on time.

By the time I arrive at the venue, Haywire are already on stage, but I only miss one song. The guys from America’s east coast play hardcore, generating a great energy level in the room. With a set time of just 25 minutes, the guys don’t have much time, but they make the most of it. Songs like “Love Song”, which is actually a blasting hardcore anthem, are equipped with a roaring groove and aggressive guitars. With “That’s Life” the band also presents a new song to the Hamburg crowd, who respond with a generous round of applause. Frontman Loosey also takes the opportunity to give a few short speeches, talking about alcoholism and drinking, and asking the crowd to join him in saying ‘cheeseburger’ in an American accent. The fans cooperate, and the moment feels a bit bizarre. “Boys Don’t Cry”, a The Cure track, also gets a hardcore finish tonight, and it is “Like a Train” that brings the energetic show to a close.

(click on pics to enlarge)

Next on stage is Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls. With the British punk and folk rock enthusiast, no one will be sleeping during these 45 minutes. Turner is at his best in live shows, and according to his count, we are witnessing the 3,089 th show. Turner has played in Hamburg quite often, from the small Molotov to the larger Alsterdorfer Sporthalle. There were even years when he played in the Hansestadt twice, and he expressed his connection to Hamburg in a short speech before kicking off “The Road”.

Tonight, however, he is the special guest, and we can expect a very energetic performance, starting with a furious version of “I Still Believe”, followed by “Try This at Home”. With “Never Mind the Back Problem”, we will hear one of Turner’s most recent creative deliveries. This song comes from the “Undefeated” album, which contributes three songs to tonight’s set.

“Photosynthesis” is the song where the entire crowd is supposed to sit on the floor before getting up to jump around again. This night isn’t about politics, but about the attitude, freedom and togetherness. This idea resonates through “1933”, announced as the anti-fascist song. Frank Turner performs for 45 minutes, ending his set with a blistering version of “Four Simple Words” while crowd surfing himself. Frank Turner has raised the temperature in the room with his show, and everyone is ready to welcome the Dropkick Murphys.

(click on pics to enlarge)

As Frank Turner, also the folk punk rocker from Boston, return to Hamburg on a very regular basis since 1997, when they played at Logo. It is worth noting that he has performed there many times since then. The venues have got bigger over the years, and tonight they are playing a headline show at the Alsterdorfer Sporthalle. Dropkick Murphys shows features music that is much appreciated by fans, and as the lyrics speak a clear language, there is no need for long speeches. However, there are some moments when Ken Casey talks to the fans, for example when he says that the band comes to town, representing the 50% of Americans who haven’t lost their minds, which is met with applause.

Dropkick Murphys recently released a new album, “For the People”, while a song from their debut album kicks off the show. “Candy’s Gone” fills the room, followed by another classic from the band, “The Boys are Back”.

“Who’ll Stand With Us” is the opener of “For the People” and the first track from the latest release. These songs mark the beginning of a 90-minute set, which includes covers such as “School Days Over”, originally by Ewan MacColl, as well as the iconic “Rose Tattoo”. Despite focusing on the latest studio album, the show is a great mix of some of the band’s best songs. Powerful music, a rebellious mindset and a great vibe fill the Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, with everyone enjoying the adrenaline rush. Besides a larger digital backdrop, there are no other gimmicks on stage. Dropkick Murphys let the music do the talking, and it works perfectly tonight. Whether you’re a young kid on daddy’s shoulders at the front or a seasoned punk rock veteran with a beer in the back of the venue, Dropkick Murphys captivate them all, and their show is an event that connects generations.

With “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” and the thunderous “The Big Man”, the show has two energisers at the end, leading to euphoric fans who clearly enjoyed every minute of it. Dropkick Murphys have added another passionate performance to their repertoire here in Hamburg, and we can confidently predict that there will be many more to come.