Dermot Kennedy: Live at the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, North Carolina

Photography by Casey King

There was an unseasonable chill in the air as I loaded my overnight green polka dot bag into my car, said my goodbyes, and began my trip back to Charleston, South Carolina from my second Dermot Kennedy show of the Sonder tour. Less than 12 hours prior, I’d been singing at the top of my lungs with approximately 6,000 strangers at the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, North Carolina as we all witnessed one of the most powerful vocalists of a generation. The cold I felt was a stark contrast to the evening before, where the heat of the day felt unbearable at times, leaving you searching for shade anywhere possible. The crowd didn’t seem to mind. As the doors to the venue opened everyone was all smiles while stopping for merch and a quick bite to eat before settling in their assigned seats. The staff was helpful and friendly. One staff member even saved me from a spider that had somehow found its way onto my shirt. After checking out the merch table and grabbing a bottle of water, I settled into my, thankfully shaded, seat and patiently waited for the show to begin.

Mehro took the stage first as Kennedy’s support for the night filling the evening with his airy vocals that are both delicate and powerful. He quickly gained the crowd’s attention. It didn’t take long to figure out that Mehro didn’t just plan to play a few songs and leave in hopes that he’d gain a few followers. He was there for connection as evidenced in the vulnerable stories he shared about his songs and the reminder he gave to the crowd to be grateful for the people in their life and not take each other for granted. It was such a beautiful opening to the show as Kennedy himself would soon make a similar request. As Mehro finished his set the preshow playlist filled the empty space with a genre of music that inspires Kennedy, hip-hop. 

We all sat waiting, anticipation growing by the second, as songs by popular hip-hop artists such as J-Cole, Vince Staples, and Dave vibrated around us. As the sun finally made its way to the horizon a steady mist of smoke was released into the air signaling to everyone that it was almost time for Kennedy to take the stage. Every show on the Sonder tour begins with a personalized hand written note to the audience. One by one letters appeared on the screen as if Kennedy was backstage writing them in real time finally revealing the message:

“When she speaks my name, I’ve never known a sound that’s so sweet. I need to hear you sing tonight, cause that’s a feeling I’ll keep. I’m glad I’m here North Carolina, it’s been far too long. Before we part, lift up your voices, leave your soul in these songs.”

The crowd roared as Kennedy took the stage and the show was underway. The opening song, Blossom, begins with the line “this whole life, you said, is like a dream that you don’t wanna forget” which set the theme of the entire gig. Kennedy confirmed at an early listening of Sonder that this line was the beginning of the making of the album, so it seemed fitting that it would begin the show. The next two songs, Power Over Me and One Life were obvious favorites as the crowd volume became increasingly more audible. The fourth song he played is the first song he released as a solo artist called, An Evening I Will Not Forget. How someone can simultaneously sing a song with such intensity yet cradle it as if they’re afraid of it cracking is beyond me, but Kennedy does it and does it well. As the song intensified I noticed the person to my right wipe away tears, and it wouldn’t take long before I was doing the same. In the spirit of Sonder, I couldn’t help but think of what caused this cathartic release of my neighbor. What had moved this person to tears? Was it similar to what I had gone through or completely different? 

The show continued with Lost, the opening song on Kennedy’s previous tour and one of my personal favorites. Young & Free was up next, a popular comeback kid for this tour and was welcomed by the roar of a train horn as it sped by on the tracks next to the venue. That wouldn’t be the only time Kennedy would be forced to out roar a train that night. It also happened during the more intimate part of the show as Kennedy took to his piano that, according to him, had ants all over the keys. He played Rome first, a song that has always reminded me of a trip I took there.  I’d never connected to the song on an emotional level, but Kennedy asked everyone to spend that song in a favorite memory. I obliged and the song took on new meaning for me has I held up my phone light as a torch, my mind swimming in the past. Next, he played Innocence and Sadness, making light of the emotionally charged song by cracking a couple jokes about the train’s horn being off key.

Halfway through the show is what I will call the holy trinity of songs, Dreamer, Moments Passed, and Glory. I may be biased because my favorite song is Moments Passed, but this trio was the heart of the gig. “Isn’t that worth something,” the last line of Dreamer, echos into the distance as the voice of Irish President, Michael D. Higgins, rings out with a message encouraging everyone to continue to create and to dream.  It’s at this moment that Kennedy stands upstage as pinkish red hues, landscapes, and glitching messages serve as a backdrop to him clutching his guitar to his chest, the vessel from which he brings forth his own creativity to the world. The distorted vocal loop of Moments Passed fills the venue as Kennedy makes his way back to his mic stand to sing the song that started my love of his music. The transition from Moments Passed to Glory isn’t a surprise to veterans of Kennedy concert goers, and became a fan favorite after its debut during Kennedy’s Some Summer Night special at London’s Natural History Museum in 2020. Kennedy poured his soul into the tune pleading for the crowd to sing out “glory” as loud as possible. We complied without hesitation, our souls joining his as we called out into the night sky under a full moon together.

Outnumbered was up next, a song that is no stranger to the people around me as evidenced by their shouts of excitement as it begins. After Rain, the closing song on his last tour, made the set as well and we all chanted “you won’t go lonely” until everyone there believed it. Kennedy played this song with such intensity that it was hard to believe he had anything left to give, but he continued still. Without Fear was next and was as stunning as ever as words and phrases appeared on the screen behind him. One phrase that really stood out to me that I don’t think I’ve caught at previous shows was “the scent of my soul.” There is an uncomfortable vulnerability in reading it, like it wasn’t meant for my eyes. Which, coincidentally enough, is exactly how I’ve always felt about the song. Kennedy closed out the show with Better Days, Homeward, Kiss Me, and Something to Someone, tunes that were more upbeat to help with the emotional recovery that everyone needed. He also surprised the audience with his new single, Don’t Forget Me, a song that has been on repeat in my mind still days after the show. As Kennedy left the stage the thought ‘please stay’ came mind, a feeling I usually have at the end of his shows. He didn’t stay, nor did he return for an encore. He poured everything into the performance. He gave us all of his soul and we gave him all of ours.