Whenever a performer starts off the night expressing their love for the city they’re in, you know they’re about to give an amazing, heart-felt performance. That’s exactly what Dermot Kennedy did just before taking the stage at MGM Music Hall in Boston on June 16th. The crowd went absolutely crazy at the message written in lights which recalled the Irish singer’s early shows on Newbury Street and the sentiment of being back.
Setting the stage for Dermot Kennedy was Boston native Sasha Alex Sloan, who energized the crowd with her bubbly presence and relatable, upbeat songs about anxiety and not fitting in. The 28-year-old singer/songwriter, whose music is a blend of pop and indie sounds, performed some of her well-known songs such as “Smiling When I Die,” “Is It Just Me?,” “Lie,” and “Runaway.” Towards the end of her setlist, she asked if there were any Harry Styles fans in the crowd and sang a mellow rendition of “As It Was,” to the delight of the crowd.
She finished off by dedicating her song “Older” to those in the audience who have divorced parents or are divorced themselves, describing how she now realizes that her parents “weren’t perfect.” Her voice was clear, with a touch of melancholy, as she sang the lines, “I used to be mad but now I know,sometimes it’s better to let someone go.” She thanked Boston once more before asking the crowd to show their love for Dermot Kennedy and exiting.
The crowd then welcomed Dermot Kennedy with a roar of excitement. He certainly did not disappoint, with gripping performances of fan favorite songs such as “Power Over Me” and “Outnumbered,” which is a song to offer comfort during tough times. He encouraged the audience to sing along to his song “Glory,” in which he demonstrated his powerful, raspy vocals. Before singing “Rome,” he again engaged the crowd by asking us to think of our happiest moment and just “staying there,” because he felt this song was about evoking those warm, emotional memories.
Though Dermot Kennedy is currently touring to promote his second album, Sonder, which came out in November 2022, he explained to the crowd that his first album, Without Fear, was an attempt to convince himself that he was not afraid of the quick passage of time. He encouraged the crowd to cherish the people we hold most dear and be grateful because “time is so limited and so precious.”
Off of his new album, Dermot Kennedy performed the hits, “Dreamer,” “Kiss Me,” and “Better Days Are Coming,” which give the album a positive note of hope. Like the previous album, his hip-hip and folk influences shine through many of his new songs, though he occasionally brought out his guitar and sang a number of acoustic renditions. He finished the night by expressing his gratitude to his fans and repeating just how important the city of Boston is to him. He ended with a raw performance of “Something to Someone,” to which the audience jumped and danced to lovingly. For many of his fans, this would prove to be a concert they would not soon forget.
LISTEN TO DERMOT KENNEDY HERE!
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PHOTO GALLERY BY: Cole Degnan
