Flogging Molly
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Flogging Molly

Ferociously touring the UK, selling out shows, Irish-American Celtic punks Flogging Molly can pretty much let the numbers do the talking for what it’s like for them to be performing in 2018. “The whole Fireball tour has been a success,” begins guitarist Dennis Casey “well, it just makes me grateful, proud, and elated.”

Quickly Casey is thinking out loud, mulling over Flogging Molly’s healthy rate of success and popularity over the last 22 years. “We do well, we’ve built a strong fan base – I imagine it would be hard touring placed like here [UK] and not many people showing up to see.”

Speaking of his fanbase, figures are well and good for Flogging Molly – they recently posted their Spotify figures on their Facebook page, stats into the millions, 65 countries reached – that Flogging Molly’s material is so universal, and so universally loved, resonates pretty well with Casey. “It’s humbling,” he says, “When I saw that too, I was like, ‘huh?’

“Spotify and streaming is definitely levelling the playing field, you have access to the whole world.” Casey stumbles for words. “But then, I do have to say there is an Irish pub in every city, no matter where you go!” That’s true. Whether it be a fingerful or half your soul, everyone’s a little bit Irish, so everyone’s open to Flogging Molly.

There’s an honesty and a particular soul to the band that has obviously translated on a global scale, but two decades into their tenure, Flogging Molly there’s a simple explanation for what keeps the band going and keeps the people so in love with this raucous melody. “It’s the sheer love of what we do,” says Casey. “Creating this whole thing from the beginning is a solid foundation – everybody has to come like our second family.

“When you watch an audience go absolutely crazy when you start playing it gives you more energy than you can imagine.”

There’s none crazier than an Australian audience, who Flogging Molly of course will see when they perform at Bluesfest next Easter, a guaranteed high-energy performance reciprocated between band and audience.

“We’ve spent so much time together, done so many things, written so many songs, played so many times, had wonderful times, hard times, not so hard times and all in between. At the end, it’s the love of this music and being able to share it with people.”

When & Where: 170 Russell, Melbourne – April 17. Tickets via www.bluesfesttouring.com.au

Written by Anna Rose