There’s something special about seeing The Mighty Mighty Bosstones in a place as intimate and energetic as the House of Blues. They’re a band built for rooms like this—rooms where the floors shake, the crowd sweats, and the horn section feels like it’s playing directly into your bloodstream. When the Bosstones rolled into town in July 2018, it felt less like a concert and more like a reunion of a massive extended family, all ready to skank, shout, and celebrate a band that’s been soundtracking good times for more than three decades.
By the time the lights dimmed and the band filed onto the stage in their trademark suits, the place was already buzzing. There’s no easing into a Bosstones show—they kick the door down from the start and ask you to keep up. And with a frontman like Dicky Barrett barking into the mic and Ben Carr dancing nonstop on the side of the stage, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the chaos. This particular night felt especially charged, with the band blending deep cuts, classics, and even a live premiere into a setlist that showed just how much fire they still had in them.
The Show
The band opened with “Kinder Words”, a perfect tone-setter with its upbeat rhythm and big sing-along chorus. Immediately the floor turned into a skanking sea of limbs and elbows. Without missing a beat, they slammed into “Mr. Moran”, the horns crisp and bright, Barrett’s gravelly voice already warmed up and roaring.
Then came “The Rascal King,” one of their most instantly recognizable songs, and the crowd erupted. It’s the kind of track that feels like a victory lap every time they play it, and the band leaned into that energy. “Green Bay, Wisconsin” followed, bringing that classic Bosstones swagger—fast, fun, and full of personality. By the time they rolled into “Someday I Suppose,” the audience was shouting every lyric back at the stage, drowning out even Barrett at times.
The set kept powering forward without any letup. “Everybody’s Better” hit hard, the horns blasting like a punch to the chest, and “You Left Right?” kept things tight and punchy. “The Constant” and “Let Me Be” delivered a nice one-two punch from their later-era material, showing just how consistent the band has been across decades.
One of the coolest moments early on was their cover of “Simmer Down” by The Wailers. The Bosstones have always had a strong reggae influence wrapped inside their ska-punk shell, and this performance gave the crowd a brief breather while still keeping the groove alive. Then they were right back to full throttle with “He’s Back” and “The Mad Dash,” the latter being a live premiere that the crowd received like an instant classic. It’s always a thrill when a band unveils something new in front of you for the very first time, and the Bosstones delivered it with excitement and confidence.
“Sunday Afternoons on Wisdom Ave.” brought some nostalgia into the mix, followed by “Hell of a Hat,” a fan favorite that still hits with that paranoid groove that made it so memorable. “Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah” turned into a full-blown chant with the audience practically becoming part of the band.
From there it was one classic after another: “Hope I Never Lose My Wallet,” a quick burst of pure ska-punk joy; the chaotic and high-speed “Dr. D”; and the always-slick “Let’s Face It,” which still feels as sharp lyrically as it did when it dropped in 1997. “Wonderful Day for the Race” brought a big, brassy bounce, while “They Will Need Music” was one of the more emotionally resonant songs of the night.
And then came the stretch that turned the room upside down. “Don’t Worry Desmond Dekker” had the entire floor moving in unison, and their cover of “I Can See Clearly Now” was a surprise highlight—bright, joyful, and full of that trademark Bosstones charm. By the time the opening notes of “The Impression That I Get” rang out, the crowd exploded. It was the loudest sing-along of the night by a mile. Even if you’ve seen them play it a dozen times, it still hits like a celebration every time they unleash it.
Encore
After stepping offstage for a quick breather, the band returned to a crowd that clearly wasn’t ready to go home. They came back swinging with “The Old School Off the Bright,” a deep cut appreciated by the longtime fans in the room. “Bad News and Bad Breaks” followed with its gritty, driving intensity, showing that even at the end of a long set, the band still had plenty of fuel left in the tank.
They closed the night with “A Pretty Sad Excuse,” a more subdued but heartfelt choice that brought the energy down just enough to let everyone catch their breath and take in the moment. It was a thoughtful, grounding ending to a night that had otherwise been full of nonstop movement.
Full Setlist
Kinder Words
Mr. Moran
The Rascal King
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Someday I Suppose
Everybody’s Better
You Left Right?
The Constant
Let Me Be
Simmer Down (The Wailers cover)
He’s Back
The Mad Dash (live premiere)
Sunday Afternoons on Wisdom Ave.
Hell of a Hat
Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah
Hope I Never Lose My Wallet
Dr. D
Let’s Face It
Wonderful Day for the Race
They Will Need Music
Don’t Worry Desmond Dekker
I Can See Clearly Now (Johnny Nash cover)
The Impression That I Get
Encore:
The Old School Off the Bright
Bad News and Bad Breaks
A Pretty Sad Excuse
Closing Thoughts
Seeing The Mighty Mighty Bosstones in 2018 wasn’t just a nostalgic trip—it was a reminder of why this band has lasted so long. They’re entertainers in the truest sense, but they’re also musicians who care deeply about their craft, their fans, and the community that has grown around them. The House of Blues was the perfect setting: packed, loud, sweaty, and full of people who knew exactly what kind of night they were in for.
The horns were tight, Barrett’s voice was its signature rough growl, Ben Carr never stopped moving, and the entire room felt alive from the first note to the last. For longtime fans, it was a reaffirmation; for newcomers, it was a revelation. The Bosstones proved once again that ska-punk done right is one of the purest forms of musical joy—and that nobody does it quite like them.