My First-Ever Boston Gig: Sun, Songs, and Southie Energy

This past Sunday was a milestone for me—I played my first-ever gig in Boston, and what a way to kick things off! The folks at The Playwright in South Boston invited me to be part of their Sun Cruiser Sunday series, and from the moment I stepped into the space, I knew it was going to be something special.

The energy in Southie is electric. There’s a real sense of community and pride, and it made the whole afternoon feel like one big gathering of friends—most of whom I hadn’t met yet. But by the end of the set, I felt like I had. That’s the magic of music, isn't it?

I mixed in some of my favorite Irish and Scottish folk tunes with crowd-pleasing local classics, and the response was overwhelming. People were clapping, singing along, even dancing a bit in the sunshine. I broke out the bodhrán for a few songs, which always adds a heartbeat to the mix—but what really turned heads was when I brought out the bagpipes.

Yep, bagpipes in South Boston. I played them a couple of times throughout the afternoon, and it created a vibe that was truly unique. You could feel the energy shift as people leaned in and gathered closer—it was one of those spine-tingling moments I’ll never forget.

Moments like this remind me why I do what I do. Live music creates these beautiful, spontaneous connections—especially in a city like Boston, where people really feel their music.

Huge thanks to The Playwright crew for the warm welcome, and to everyone who came out and made my Boston debut one to remember. I can’t wait to be back.

Until next time—cheers!

Ross