You’ve probably heard about how awesome the St. Patrick’s Day weekend Dropkick Murphys shows are: Irish bands, thousands of punk fans, and heavy amounts of drinking. Maybe you’ve even thought, “I wish I could enjoy all of that, plus fire-breathing circus performers, marching bands, and burning effigies.” Then it’s almost time to pack up your things and head to Philadelphia for The World/Inferno Friendship Society’s annual Hallowmas bash.
Each year’s Hallowmas concert is subject to a variety of antics that range from strange and outlandish to borderline insane (but in a good way, of course). Traditionally, a classical string quartet performs in the back of the venue while the anarcho-punk bands play on stage, various circus performers breathe fire and perform magic tricks, marching bands show up onstage randomly to blast out songs, and burning look-alikes of singer Jack Terricloth are set on fire.
Mind you, these are all things that normally happen at Hallowmas. Some years the band has spontaneously rallied to the streets, dragging thousands of fans behind them. I guess when the usual events of the night include burning effigies and magicians, you learn to be ready for anything.
This year’s Hallowmas will take place in Philadelphia and not the usual setting of New York City (a decision reportedly made by The Great Pumpkin, according to the band). Folk/punk act Mischief Brew will be opening the show.