Rebels With a Cause: How Dropkick Murphys and Joan Jett Keep Punk Alive

🎸 Rebels With a Cause: How Joan Jett and Dropkick Murphys Keep Punk Alive

Punk has never really been about fashion or noise, it’s been about voice. A voice that says, we’re here, we matter, and we’ll do things our way. Two artists who embody that spirit in completely different but equally powerful ways are Joan Jett and the Dropkick Murphys.

In 2025–2026, both are hitting the stage again, Jett with a Las Vegas residency at House of Blues, and Dropkick Murphys with a tour wrapping in their hometown of Boston (and coming through my hometown of Pittsburgh). For music lovers who live for passion, attitude, and authenticity, this might just be the perfect excuse to travel for sound.

Joan Jett — The Original Outsider Goes Big in Vegas

oan Jett has always been punk’s paradox, mainstream yet fiercely independent, glamorous yet gritty. From her early days with The Runaways to the eternal anthem “Bad Reputation”, she’s been a voice for outsiders who refuse to conform.

Now, she’s bringing that spirit to The House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay, one of Las Vegas’s most iconic live venues. This intimate space feels tailor-made for an artist whose career has always been about connecting directly with fans — no filters, no apologies.

🎸 Travel Tip – Las Vegas:
Staying right at Mandalay Bay means the show is just steps away, and the Mandalay Bay Tram connects you easily to Luxor and Excalibur if you want to explore without braving the heat. Don’t miss the resort’s massive beach-style pool complex, complete with a wave pool and lazy river — the perfect way to cool off after a night of pure rock and roll.

☘️ Dropkick Murphys — Celtic Punk with Heart and Heritage

Across the country, Dropkick Murphys have been flying the flag for working-class pride and Irish-American roots for over 25 years. Their blend of punk energy and Celtic tradition created a sound that’s equal parts mosh pit and family reunion.

Their upcoming 2025–2026 tour will wrap with five massive hometown shows in Boston, a city that pulses with their anthems. From “Shipping Up to Boston” to “Rose Tattoo,” their songs celebrate the grit, heart, and humor of the people who make the city what it is.

🍀 Travel Tip – Boston:
Plan a few extra days to explore the city’s neighborhoods on foot, especially Southie and the North End. Grab cannoli from Mike’s Pastry, check out the Irish Heritage Trail, and visit the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum to feel the revolutionary energy that pairs perfectly with Dropkick’s spirit.

Why It Still Matters

Both Jett and the Murphys prove that punk was never just a phase, it was (and still is) a movement. A sound for the independent, the outspoken, the strong. It’s about carving out space where you belong, wherever you are.

In a world of polished pop and algorithmic playlists, these artists remind us that rebellion still sells because authenticity never goes out of style.

Travel Through Sound

Whether you’re raising a fist with Joan Jett in Vegas, singing your heart out with the Dropkick Murphys in Boston, or tracing punk’s roots across London, Manchester, or Berlin, travel becomes a soundtrack of its own.

🎸 Ready to turn your favorite band into your next destination?
Let’s map your trip around the shows, cities, and stories that shaped punk and rock.
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Punk Rock Museum Las Vegas

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

Discover more stories like this at The Sound Map, my ongoing journal of music-inspired adventures.

Want to lean more about my 2026 summer plans to see The Cure overseas? Check it out here.

Want to learn about my love for NYHC? Check it out here.

If you are interested in learning about Virgin Voyages, an ADULTS ONLY cruise full of fabulous food and fun, visit my blog here.

Let’s plan your next adventure around the music that moves you, from stage to shore.
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