Boston, September 7, 2025
News Summary
The Seisiún festival, held at Suffolk Downs in Boston, showcased Irish music with major acts like Dropkick Murphys and The Pogues. Although attendees were energized, severe weather caused significant delays and schedule changes. Despite challenges, the crowd maintained a spirited atmosphere, treating the rain as part of the experience.
Boston — Seisiún, a weekend music festival celebrating Irish music and culture, opened at Suffolk Downs with a lineup that included Dropkick Murphys, The Pogues, Glen Hansard and The Waterboys, but the event was marked by extended weather delays, schedule changes and an energized, rain-ready crowd.
What happened
The festival began on Saturday, with Holy Locust scheduled to start performances at 2:10 PM. Heavy rain forced a three-hour pause in the afternoon and evening, delaying sets and prompting severe-weather warnings that led to at least one temporary evacuation. When the event resumed, Dropkick Murphys headlined Saturday with a 75-minute set that included interactive crowd moments and a short extension of the city curfew by 15 minutes to accommodate a rain-related delay. The Hold Steady took the stage at 8:15 PM after the long break, though hundreds of attendees were still in security lines as their set began.
Key impacts on schedule and performances
Weather disruptions altered multiple performances. The Scratch had its set cut short by about 15 minutes due to severe-weather warnings, requiring organizers to clear audiences temporarily. Stiff Little Fingers were unable to perform on Saturday because of the delay. Organizers opened the pit area to all ticket holders after the festival resumed to help move attendees closer to the stage once shows were back underway.
Notable moments
During Dropkick Murphys’ set, the band showed video highlights of Boston sports teams and encouraged audience participation, including allowing fans to sing into a microphone. The group performed “The Green Fields of France (No Man’s Land)” at the festival for the first time, and also delivered a politically charged moment before another song that drew a strong audience response. The combination of chants, dancing and even crowd surfing continued despite muddy conditions.
Attendance and atmosphere
Most festival-goers arrived prepared for rain, wearing rain gear and embracing the damp conditions. The mood was described by organizers and attendees as spirited and communal, with many treating the weather as part of the festival experience rather than a deterrent. Security lines and access delays did affect some attendees’ ability to see full sets when the event resumed.
Logistics, tickets and venue
The festival encouraged use of public transportation to ease parking congestion, noting the nearby Suffolk Downs stop on the Blue Line as a close transit option. Tickets were sold in several pricing tiers, ranging from $75 for general admission to $403 for VIP seating. The venue at Suffolk Downs carries historical significance, having hosted major acts over past decades, and was chosen in part for its location and capacity to host a multi-artist festival.
Purpose and context
Seisiún is being presented as a revival of the late-1990s Fleadh festival, aiming to capture a broad spectrum of Irish music while promoting cultural community and mutual support. Organizers and participants point to a resurgence of interest in Irish music and culture as a reason for the event’s timing and lineup selection. The weekend lineup also included The Pogues, Glen Hansard, The Waterboys, Stiff Little Fingers, The Scratch, Holy Locust and The Rumjacks.
Safety and crowd management
Severe-weather warnings led organizers to adjust schedules and evacuate areas when necessary. The festival’s pause and subsequent resumption included additional safety checks and changes to access points, including a temporary opening of the pit to all ticket holders to reorganize crowd flow once performances restarted.
What to expect for the rest of the weekend
Attendees should plan for variable weather, expect possible schedule adjustments, and consider public transportation to reach the venue. Organizers recommend arriving early and preparing for security screenings. Future sets and schedules may be adjusted in response to weather or safety concerns.
FAQ
What is Seisiún and where is it being held?
Seisiún is a music festival celebrating Irish music and culture, held this weekend at Suffolk Downs in Boston.
Which artists are on the lineup?
The lineup includes Dropkick Murphys, The Hold Steady, The Pogues, Glen Hansard, The Waterboys, Stiff Little Fingers, The Scratch, Holy Locust and The Rumjacks.
Why were some sets delayed or canceled?
Heavy rain and severe-weather warnings caused a three-hour pause, a shortened set for The Scratch, and the cancellation of Stiff Little Fingers’ Saturday performance. Safety and evacuation procedures were implemented when required.
How were curfew and scheduling handled?
Dropkick Murphys received a 15-minute extension to the city curfew to finish a rain-delayed set. Organizers adjusted other set times and opened the pit area to ticket holders after the event resumed.
What are ticket and transport details?
Ticket prices range from $75 to $403 for VIP seating. The Suffolk Downs Blue Line stop is close to the venue and public transit is encouraged to reduce parking congestion.
Is the festival family-friendly and safe?
Organizers took safety precautions in response to weather, including evacuations and schedule changes. Attendees are advised to follow official instructions, prepare for rain, and arrive early for security screening.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Suffolk Downs, Boston |
| Key acts (Saturday) | Dropkick Murphys (headliner), The Hold Steady, The Pogues, Glen Hansard, The Waterboys, Stiff Little Fingers, The Scratch, Holy Locust, The Rumjacks |
| Start time (Saturday) | Holy Locust at 2:10 PM; schedule adjusted for weather |
| Major disruptions | Three-hour rain delay; The Scratch set shortened ~15 minutes; Stiff Little Fingers did not perform Saturday |
| Curfew | 15-minute extension granted to Dropkick Murphys due to rain delay |
| Tickets | General admission from $75; VIP up to $403 |
| Transit | Use Blue Line to Suffolk Downs stop; public transport encouraged |
| Venue notes | Suffolk Downs has historical significance and has hosted major acts in past decades |
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Additional Resources
- Boston.com: Live Updates from the Seisiún Irish Music Festival in Boston
- Boston.com: Seisiún Boston Music Festival
- Boston Magazine: Seisiún Irish Rock Festival
- Boston Globe: The Pogues at Seisiún
- Wikipedia: Irish Music
- Google Search: Irish Music Festivals
- Boston Irish: Seisiún – A New Chapter in Irish Music
- Billboard: Dropkick Murphys and Pogues to Headline Seisiún Irish Festival
- Hot Press: The Pogues and Dropkick Murphys at Boston’s Seisiún Irish Music Festival
- Boston.com: Irish Music Festival Featuring Dropkick Murphys
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
