After many years wanting to see a Gogol Bordello show, I was finally able to do so recently at 9:30 Club, and it was a great evening of punk, gypsy-rock and roll, and non-stop energy. Gogol Bordello was joined by openers Boris and the Joy and Puzzled Panther for an outstanding show.
Gogol Bordello stopped at 9:30 Club on March 22 for a show on their current tour supporting their latest album, We Mean It, Man! The album was just released in February and featured heavily in the performance at 9:30 Club.
Boris and the Joy opened the show with a fantastic 40-minute opening set featuring the great guitar work of Boris and his non-stop energy. Boris, who is a Russian/Ukranian musician moves effortlessly about the stage conducting jumps at any point during his set. Boris had actually played previously in Gogol Bordello for eight years, which he elaborated on but has now formed his own band. Boris exhibits a lot of emotion on stage and that is seen within his movement and stumbles he takes on stage. Boris received great reception from the fans during is set.
Puzzled Panther played the second set of the evening opening for Gogol Bordello and exhibited a great level of energy, diversity and a new sense of punk that is being seen in 2026. The band made of Victoria Espinoza and Kay Bontempo play great punk-driven songs and increase the energy level during this interval of the concert. The band has outstanding vocals and guitar sound that set the tone for their set definitely leaving fans at the 9:30 Club show wanting more.
Watch the official music video for “Fractured” by Puzzled Panther on YouTube:
Gogol Bordello, with their charismatic frontman Eugen Hutz, took the stage a little past 9pm and played nearly a 2-hour punk extravaganza from their new album and past hits. Gogol always brings amazing energy to the stage in a performance that combines guitar, electronic, and fused music providing an atmosphere that would likely be seen in a great theatre production on Broadway. The music, dance, and momentum of the show are fantastic creating an evening not likely to be forgotten for those lucky enough to be at the show.
The band started the 9:30 show with “Ignition” and then “I Would Never Wanna Be Young Again” one of the Gogol Bordello staples from several years back. This song really highlights the sound of the band, the theatrics, and the outstanding musicianship that would be experienced throughout their performance. Gogol Bordello brought Puzzled Panther and Boris and the Joy on stage for songs as their set progressed during the evening.
Watch the official music video for “Ignition” by Gogol Bordello on YouTube:
Some of the highlights from the show were the playing of “Immigraniada,” the new song “We Mean It, Man!,” and the night’s version of “Undestructable.”
Fans rocked to all three bands during the night’s performances, creating waves of energy for the bands to keep playing to capacity.
The evening’s showcase of bands made me later leave the club thinking I am seeing a really strong reemergence of the punk music movement like was seen decades ago. Whether it was the great stage persona of Boris, outstanding interworking of Espinoza and Bontempo, or Hutz’s dynamic stage presence, with Gogol Bordello’s chemistry on stage, it was refreshing to see music played with such vigor and energy over a 3-hour concert.
Gogol Bordello are currently on tour in the USA before heading to Europe and should be on anyone’s list to see bands.
Setlist:
1. Ignition
2. I Would Never Wanna Be Young Again
3. Not a Crime
4. Immigrant Punk
5. Wonderlust King
6. My Companjera
7. Fire on Ice Floe (with Puzzled Panther)
8. From Boyarka to Boyaca (Puzzled Panther cover with Puzzled Panther)
9. State of Shock (The Ex + Tom Cora cover)
10. Mystics
11. Immigraniada (We Comin’ Rougher)
12. We Mean It. Man!
13. Life is Possible Again
14. Mishto!
15. Start Wearing Purple
16. Pala Tutue (with Boris Pelekh)
17. Crayons
18. Alcohol
19. Boiling Point
20. Undestructable
Here are some photos of Gogol Bordello performing live at 9:30 Club on March 22, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
Here are some photos of Puzzle Panther opening Gogol Bordello at 9:30 Club on March 22, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
Here are some photos of Boris and the Joy opening Gogol Bordello at 9:30 Club on March 22, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
