Dropkick Murphys have officially withdrawn from all future Punk in the Park festivals following revelations that the festival’s promoter, Brew Ha Ha Productions, made donations to Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
The Boston punk band, known for their working-class ethos and outspoken political stance, addressed the issue during their set at Punk in the Park Denver on July 19, 2025. Frontman Ken Casey declared live on stage that this would be their final appearance at the event, stating plainly: “Punk and Trump don’t mix.”
Shortly after, the band released a formal statement on social media, explaining that their decision came after discovering political contributions made by the festival’s owner. While honoring their commitment to fans in Denver, they made it clear they would not support any festival financially linked to causes they consider antithetical to punk values. “We played Denver because we didn’t want to leave fans hanging,” the band wrote, “but we won’t be back.”
The controversy intensified when opening acts Destiny Bond and Time X Heist pulled out in advance of the Denver show after learning of the promoter’s political ties. These actions brought attention to the issue even before Dropkick Murphys took the stage.
In response, Brew Ha Ha Productions founder Cameron Collins acknowledged the personal donations but emphasized they were not made using festival funds. He also noted that the festival has supported artists across diverse backgrounds and musical styles. Nevertheless, Dropkick Murphys were unmoved, standing by their long-held belief that punk’s core message is incompatible with far-right ideologies.
The band’s absence will be felt at upcoming Punk in the Park dates in Worcester, Massachusetts, and California, where they were set to appear alongside acts like Bad Religion, Pennywise, and Descendents.
Known for their fierce social commentary and commitment to working-class causes, Dropkick Murphys’ decision underscores their refusal to compromise their principles—even when it means stepping away from high-profile stages.
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