From left, Dave King, Spencer Swain, and Dennis Casey, members of Flogging Molly, perform at Canalside in Buffalo, Tuesday. Photo by Chris Chapman

BUFFALO — If someone tells you that nothing is happening in Buffalo, don’t believe him.

Tuesday was chock full of activity for anyone looking for something to do. Not only was there a great show at Canalside with Flogging Molly, but right across the street, The Jonas Brothers were playing a show at KeyBank Center and the Bisons were hosting the Rochester Redwings at Sahlen Field.

It was a damp night as the rain fell intermittently on the venue. Two legends of punk rock were outdoors with a packed park of fans, screaming along with each word. David King and Flogging Molly were ready to entertain. And they did.

From the first note of “Drunken Lullabies” to the final steps off the stage, the band members were masterful on their various instruments. Introduction of new songs, playing some that King said he has never performed on a tour before were the order of the night for the seven-piece Celtic punk rock band.

King was the ringmaster, not only on stage but orchestrating the crowd to his direction in participation. Guitarist, Dennis Casey, was his usual high-energy self, kicking, jumping, singing, and otherwise acting the part.

Casey had a special night as his family was with him. During the opening acts, Le Butcherettes and Devil Makes Three, Clan Casey, as King called them, could be spotted roaming the venue, enjoying the time together and with the band’s fans. The family spent the set in the wings. The drive down the Thruway from Rochester, Casey’s hometown, really isn’t too far.

To say that the band is anything short of musical mastery would be a misstatement. From King’s guitar and voice and Casey’s guitar, Flogging Molly was sound all the way around. From Nathen Maxwell’s bass to Bridget Regan’s fiddle and tin whistle, and her Celtic vocals, the mastery was there. Spencer Swain was stellar on the banjo and mandolin. Mike Alonso laid down the beat while Matt Hensley gave soul to each piece with his accordion playing.

How do you follow a band like Flogging Molly? Have Social Distortion as your co-headliners. Moving from that seven-piece to a simple five-man setup, the punk rock veterans found the sky dark, and light rain for most of their set.

They didn’t let the weather drain their energy.

In pure punk fashion, Mike Ness’ iconic voice and classic guitar riffs shook the night and the crowd. You’d never guess this guy’s been performing for 40 years.

While Ness isn’t the showman that King is, Ness knew what to give the crowd. He had 5,000 people eating out of his hand, singing the song that have become a part of the anthem of so many people’s lives.

Outsiders to the genre would think it would be a night of angry political rhetoric with left-leaning tendencies. Nothing could be further from the truth.

For the most part, the evening was politics-free. The only spot where anything even remotely came into play was when Ness introduced the band’s anti-racism song. He said he is a patriot because he does what patriots do. “Challenge those in power, no matter who is in power.”

He said Social Distortion is an anti-racist band and that if any one there disagreed, he pointed to the back and said, “There’s the *** door.” He went into the song, “Don’t Drag Me Down” and the show went on.