Tag: Dermot Kennedy

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dermot Kennedy @ Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Eora/Sydney – 7 December 2023

As an Aussie Dermot Kennedy fan, I’ve felt incredibly blessed by his time in our country. A few weeks ago, I got the opportunity to see him play at the Doss House, a venue so small he didn’t even need to use a microphone. After this acoustic teaser, I got to see him again last week in the Sydney Opera House forecourt. While the room he played in the Doss House would have been lucky to hold 50 people, the Opera House forecourt holds thousands. And he sold it out. Twice.

It’s a testament to the quality of Dermot’s music that it can work in any setting. In a place like the Doss House, you can reflect on those personal lyrics. At the Opera House forecourt, backed by a full band, his words become battle cries. They come from such a deep place, and I was thrilled to yell them out as Dermot encouraged us to sing louder. Dermot is a performer that sings from his gut. He leaves nothing on the stage, delivering passionate vocals that connect and resonate.

The night was a fitting farewell to the promotion for Dermot’s album Sonder. Songs from his sophomore LP book-ended the set. While “Blossom” ends the album, it was a fantastic opener. Those newer songs were balanced by the old favourites from Without Fear. The fans who’ve been there from the beginning were even treated to “Glory,” from his debut EP, Doves and Ravens.

While I hold my memories of the Doss House show so close, it was missing one major thing for me: my husband. It was so special to see this show with him, to sing along to songs like “Outnumbered” and “Homeward” as we held hands and thought about how far we’ve come. I also thought about how lucky we were to do this during “Better Days,” a lockdown anthem that has now become so life-affirming. Last time I saw Dermot was at an indoor venue, so I didn’t feel comfortable removing my mask. Sitting on the steps of the Opera House, enjoying this fabulous music, the pandemic was the last thing on my mind. Instead, I revelled in singing the song together, to paraphrase the lyrics.

After experiencing the intimacy of the Doss House, I marvelled at the numbers who’d gathered for this show. While I always prefer a small gig, there’s certainly something special about coming together with so many people who are passionate about an artist’s music. Hearing our voices, seeing the lights of our phones, watching us move together to the beats of these songs we all carry in our hearts, was special. Doing it at an iconic place like the Sydney Opera House was the icing on the cake of this fantastic tour. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’ll miss having Dermot in our country, but we take some comfort knowing that he had such a great time that he probably won’t stay away for too long.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dermot Kennedy @ The Doss House, Talla-wo-la-dah/The Rocks – 17 November 2023

Ordinarily once an artist gets to the stage in their careers where they’re selling out the Opera House forecourt, you’ve missed the chance to catch them in an intimate venue. But Dermot Kennedy is no ordinary artist. He revels in playing in beautiful places, regularly announcing pop-up gigs that complement his paid shows around the world. Last night it was Sydney’s turn to witness one of these magical events when he played The Doss House in Talla-wo-la-dah/The Rocks.

I’m still pinching myself that I got the chance to see one of my favourite artists in such a special space. A beautiful sandstone building, you can feel the history seeping from the walls. To call it intimate is an understatement. We were told just 80 of us would get in, but once we were ushered through we discovered maybe about 40-50 of us would be in the same room as Dermot. The rest would have to be content in the courtyard, peeking through a window at the action inside. I have never been more excited to take my seat in the front row, maybe 30 centimetres away from the mic stand. What a stark difference from the last Dermot show I saw at the Hordern Pavilion!

Dermot was still five hours from gracing us with his presence at that point, but with wine and conversation flowing freely that time passed quickly. Soon enough we were told we could purchase one of the limited-edition Australian-exclusive copies of Dermot’s latest album Sonder and meet the man himself. He was as warm and sweet (and let’s face it, handsome) as I could have hoped for. And then we were settled in for our special acoustic performance.

And when I say acoustic, I mean acoustic. He did away with the mic stand, deciding it was unnecessary for a space like this. His guitar didn’t need plugging in either. This is as raw as music gets, and it was wonderful. You could have heard a pin drop as he launched into recently released single “Two Hearts.” I marvelled at how special it was to experience “For Island Fires and Family” like this, in such a quiet space. He always performs that song unaccompanied, but at the Hordern there was so much chatter impinging on the moment. But here, everyone was attentive, drinking in every word, every note. The more upbeat “Kiss Me” helped us find our voices. Or perhaps it was the trays of whiskey generously passed around. Either way, the singalong continued with “Outnumbered” before we ushered out into the night. While we were told entry would be first-come, first-served, Dermot wasn’t going to leave hundreds of people disappointed so he agreed to play another set for as many of those people who would fit inside. He’s just that kind of artist.

I feel so incredibly blessed that I got to see one of my favourite artists in such a beautiful space so up close and personal. And to share it with such wonderful people. Crowds that give their attention and respect to the artist are worth their weight in gold. Dermot has a few more pop-up shows before he kicks off his Australian tour. Like the show at The Doss House, I’m sure they’ll be incredible.

18 November 2023 – Music Farmers Record Store, Woolyungah/Wollongong (FREE)
18 November 2023 – La La La’s, Woolyungah/Wollongong (FREE)
19 November 2023 – The Royal, Bundi/Bondi Beach (FREE)
21 November 2023 – Jimmy O’Neill’s, Euro Yuroke/St Kilda (FREE)
22 November 2023 – Oh! Jean Records, Naarm/Melbourne (FREE)
22 November 2023 – Thornbury Picture House, Naarm/Melbourne (FREE)
24 November 2023 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Naarm/Melbourne
25 November 2023 – Spilt Milk Festival @ Exhibition Park, Ngunnawal/Canberra
26 November 2023 – Spilt Milk Festival @ Gold Coast Sports Precinct, Kombumerri/Gold Coast
2 December 2023 – Spilt Milk Festival @ Victoria Park, Wadawurrung/Ballarat
3 December 2023 – Spilt Milk Festival @ Claremont Showground, Boorloo/Perth
6 December 2023 – Opera House Forecourt, Eora/Sydney
7 December 2023 – Opera House Forecourt, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT)
8 December 2023 – Opera House Forecourt, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT)
10 December 2023 – Riverstage, Meeanjin/Brisbane

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dermot Kennedy @ Hordern Pavilion, 21 May 2022

If there was ever a sign that Australia’s moving into a new phase of pandemic life, it’s the steady stream of international performers arriving on our shores. I finally broke my international gig drought on Saturday night when I caught Dermot Kennedy at the Hordern Pavilion.

I was thrilled to see Miiesha named as the support on this tour. Her album Nyaaringu was one of my favourites of 2020, so I was pretty excited to finally see her live. That album, released as the Black Lives Matter movement gained traction made such insightful comments about culture, race, and division. What a shame the sound mix didn’t do her justice. While her band was fire, the mix which put their instruments over Miiesha’s vocals was disappointing. Miiesha’s words deserve to be heard. She gave such energy and swagger, but it couldn’t quite make up for the mess coming out of the speakers. I’m going to have to catch her again some other time.

Thankfully those sound issues were sorted by the time Dermot took the stage. I’m not sure my heart could have taken having this moment tainted by sound issues. According to my Spotify stats, Dermot was my most-streamed artist of 2021. There’s something special about musical pandemic discoveries. At a time when so much of the world seemed dark and grey, finding the right music can bring colour. Seeing that person who lifted you up delivering the songs that you felt right down to your bones is special. He started with “Lost,” a song that reminds me so much of my husband and the dark time he went through stressed about a job that he eventually lost. I sang along with every fibre of my being, feeling such jubilation and joy. I’m sure we’ve all had those experiences, where someone comes on stage and you just feel such overwhelming happiness. What a rush.

The beautiful thing is that it happened so many times. Those moments with those songs that were just so perfectly exquisite. Me connecting with the songs, as so many people in the sold-out room did. Dermot connecting with the people in the room and his own songs. The emotion in his voice attested to that. What a thing to witness.

While Dermot was perfect and I’m sure a great proportion of the crowd was too, unfortunately, my experience was marred by some punters. I’ve always been a really attentive concertgoer. You’re there to listen. Sing along, absolutely, but it’s not the place to have a conversation. Especially not in the quiet moments. I cringed as I tried to listen to Dermot’s words between songs, hoping he couldn’t hear the chatter as he explained their inspiration. I tried desperately to drown the murmur of voices out as he so beautifully sang “For Island Fires and Family” acapella. Maybe it makes me a stick in the mud, but there are plenty of other places to chat with your mates, double-fist booze, and take selfies. We’ve been without international artists for so long. How about we just soak up the moments we have with them?

That annoyance aside, Dermot was everything I hoped he would be. His voice was spinetingling. I found myself wiping away tears more than once. He’s such a special performer. I only hope that next time he tours he plays venues where the whole crowd gives him the attention he deserves.

Image source: own photos