IF any band knows how to interact with its audience, it’s the Dropkick Murphys.

The Celtic punk band from Boston caused a merry riot at Boscombe’s O2 Academy, with mosh pits forming like tornadoes and fists pumping in the air as the band blasted out its first few songs with barely a break between each one.

While there were plenty of females in the audience, myself included, Dropkick Murphys got their male fans geared up by kicking off with The Boys Are Back.

It was not until the band played Out of Our Heads that guitarist Tim Brennan turned his attention to the accordion. The six-member band bring out their folk influences with banjos, mandolins, tin whistles, and bagpipes.

Mindful not to neglect their earlier punk influences, too, they played a medley of songs from their first album, Do or Die.

And in homage to one of the greats who inspire them, AC/DC, they treated the audience to the song TNT.

As the concert brewed towards its finale, we heard some of the band’s most popular releases including Rose Tattoo, Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya, and I’m Shipping Up to Boston.

Lead singer Al Barr said touring was about the relationship with the audience when interviewed by the Bournemouth Echo recently.

“It’s 50 per cent us and 50 per cent them too.”

His words certainly rang true when members of the audience, this writer included, were invited onto the stage to sing and dance with the band for their unforgettable finale.