Originally scheduled for Hadlock Field as the second in a series of appearances at Red Sox Minor League ballparks, the concert headlined by the Dropkick Murphys had to be moved to the Civic Center on Friday night. It was probably just as well, since the amount of forechecking that went on among mosh dancers on the main floor seemed much more appropriate to a hockey arena.

From a safe seat above the fray, though, it appeared that there were no major penalties assessed. That has to be at least in part creditable to the nice guy "punks" on stage.

The Dropkicks are hard-driving rockers with hearts of gold. Their between-songs patter frequently revolved around fallen colleagues, friends and family, and the lyrics of many of their tunes tell of tough times endured and difficulties overcome. That's not to say they are about to start singing "Kumbaya," but neither are they remotely apocalyptic.

It was basically just a lot of fun to hear the Boston-based septet play their unusual combination of Celtic music and relentless, stomping rock.

All kinds of musical and historical connotations flew by when the sounds of bagpipes, banjo and tin whistle floated above the din.

All dressed in black, they got right to the point with "State of Massachusetts," an ode to the primal issue of child custody. Lead singers Al Barr and Ken Casey shouted out the line "they've been taken away" with all the precision of a Greek chorus. Barr, with a gruff voice that might remind older listeners of Joe Cocker on a rough night, gave his all to "I'm Shipping Up To Boston," one of the group's songs that has become a Red Sox anthem ("Tessie" also made an appearance).

"(F)lannigan's Ball" featured excellent lead guitar work from James Lynch, while "Sunshine Highway" was given a somewhat lighter texture thanks to the work of Tim Brennan on accordion. "Forever" also quieted the atmosphere momentarily in the almost-full hall.

Female audience members were welcomed on stage during one song, and everyone came up for a finale that included "Skinhead on the MBTA" and "Dirty Water."

Preceding the Dropkicks was a lengthy set by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, an eccentric group that blends punk and Jamaican ska while reeling around the stage in Pee Wee Herman-meets-Benny Hill style plaid suits.

The many highlights for the Bosstones included "Rascal King" and "Where'd You Go," as well as a very soulful "Desmond Decker." Their huge hit, "The Impression That I Get," took full advantage of their horn section and got the crowd moving as one, in sync with the piece's catchy refrain.

A brief opening set by an all-girl quartet called Civet rocked hard with such tunes as "Hell Hath No Fury," standing out at the start of an evening full of good music.

Steve Feeney is a freelance writer who lives in Portland.