Incoming Mass. gov to begin term with punk rock concert

Inaugurations are typically stately affairs, but incoming Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) will kick off his term with a concert by the Dropkick Murphys this Friday.

“The governor-elect has been a long-time fan of Dropkick Murphys and we were pleased that they agreed to play the concert,” Baker spokesperson Tim Buckley said to Boston.com.

Baker supporters received an invitation from the campaign email address on Wednesday. Tickets are $10 and Baker and Lt. Gov.-elect Karyn Polito will also appear at the concert that’s billed as a thank you to supporters. Baker beat out Attorney General Martha Coakley (D) in November by less than 2 percentage points. 

Ken Casey, the lead singer of the self-described “Celtic Punk” band, helped campaign for Baker and co-hosted a fundraiser for him.  

“Charlie is a Republican and I’m a Democrat, but I will take a big heart and strong character over political party any day,” Casey said in October, according to the Boston Herald.

Dropkick Murphys have been performing since the mid-1990s and have a cult following in their home state of Massachusetts. Many of their songs have a local connection, including “The State of Massachusetts” and “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.”