BAGPIPERS, BEER, AND BLISTERING CELTIC PUNK
Dickens Pub in Calgary was packed with rowdy fans on March 22, 2025, as The Real McKenzies and The Dreadnoughts took the stage for a night of bagpipes, sea shanties, and pure punk energy. With local support from locals Class Action and Territories, the lineup promised a sweaty night of spilled drinks, jigs, and enthusiastic singalongs—and it more than delivered.
THE OPENERS: CLASS ACTION & TERRITORIES
Calgary’s own Class Action opened the night with a solid mix of youthful punk and ska, a nod to the genres’ 90s-hayday. Their brass section added an extra punch to their sound, and their energy was contagious. Following Class Action, Calgary punk veterans Territories kept the momentum going with their anthemic, no-frills sound. Their set was tight, full of hooks, and packed with the kind of energy that makes you want to throw a fist in the air and sing along. By the time they wrapped up, the crowd was more than ready for the main event.
ABSOLUTELY YOUR GRANDMA’S POLKA: THE DREADNOUGHTS
If The Real McKenzies are a well-oiled Celtic punk machine, The Dreadnoughts are a storm at sea, bringing powerful stage energy that was felt by the audience. Blending polka, folk-punk, and crowd favourite sea shanties, their set was a whirlwind of fiddle, accordion, and gang vocals. The floor turned into a swirling mess of dancing and moshing, with the occasional waltz breaking out between the chaos. The band’s banter between songs only added to the sense of camaraderie, making it feel more like a pub singalong than a structured set.
The Dreadnoughts were a particularly special addition for me (Angela). While my amateur accordionist journey was first inspired by folk metal, my interests quickly gravitated towards the infectious melodies of Polka’s Not Dead (2010). Spotify’s data analytics would surely have ranked me as a top listener of Polka Never Dies, and the lyrics “Tonight, the stage is yours/But the world has watched you rise/And fall a thousand times before/Polka never dies” have been forever etched in my mind as a reminder that the less-than-trendy accordion and folk tunes will always be relevant (and damned fun to play).
KILTY AS CHARGED: THE REAL MCKENZIES
A staple of the Canadian Celtic punk scene since the early ‘90s, The Real McKenzies know exactly how to work a crowd. Kilt-clad and full of swagger, they blasted through a mix of old favorites and newer tracks, keeping the room moving from start to finish. Their signature mix of bagpipes and breakneck punk riffs had fans jumping, stomping, and shouting along with every chorus. At this point in their career, they could probably do this in their sleep, but they certainly weren’t phoning it in—their set was as tight and raucous as ever.
CONCLUSION
Between The Real McKenzies’ relentless energy and The Dreadnoughts’ controlled chaos, this was one for the books. From the first bagpipe wail to the last sea shanty, it was the kind of show that leaves ears ringing and smiles plastered on faces long after the last note fades. If any of these bands roll through your city, don’t miss out—expect a night of sweat, shenanigans, and singing your heart out with a room full of rowdy new friends.
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