Noah Kahan’s success is a testament to his undeniable talent, unwavering dedication, and genuine connection with his audience. Far from being a stroke of luck, his journey to acclaim has been paved with hard work, authenticity, and a distinctive musical voice that resonates with listeners on a profound level.
The 27 year old kicked off his sold out ‘We’ll All Be Here Forever’ tour in Dublin on Thursday night to a whopping 13,000 people, and it’s safe to say that every single one of them will have departed with a lasting and resonant memory of a night filled with heartfelt lyrics, powerful vocals, and an electric connection between Noah and the always impressive Dublin crowd.
Taking the audience by complete surprise, the Vermont-born singer arrived on stage, banjo-in-hand and opened up his set with the soulful ‘All My Love’ eliciting a roar of excitement that erupted throughout the venue. If there’s one thing Noah Kahan is known for, it’s his ability to delve into emotions that many shy away from, which is a cornerstone of his renown, and this song is a prime example of that.
Offering no respite for a moment’s pause, he followed up with ‘She Calls Me Back’, another track off the chart-topping ‘Stick Season’ album which even had the seated portion of the crowd on their feet. Kahan jokingly exclaimed “Dublin is not in the UK” in response to a mistake his PR team made with tour merchandise. This statement was certainly well received with chants of ‘Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole” from the audience.
One commendable aspect of Noah Kahan’s artistry lies in his genuine regard for his audience. In the middle of the set, a dozen smartphone flashlights illuminated from the crowd when a concert-goer needed medical assistance. Demonstrating a commendable sense of responsibility, Kahan promptly alerted the security team to address the situation. While ensuring the individual received the necessary attention, Kahan further displayed his personal connection with the audience by descending to the front barrier, and high-fiving every individual in the front row.
Themes that are prevalent throughout Noah Kahan’s catalogue of songs are love, mental health, breakups & alcoholism which is evident in tracks like ‘Everywhere, Everything’ & ‘Your Needs, My Needs’. These songs undoubtedly resonant, carried a profound significance for many within the arena, reflecting the artist’s ability to address universal emotions with a poignant and relatable touch.
Amidst the anticipation for a surprise guest, Kahan elevated the night with a surprise appearance from Dublin’s very own Dermot Kennedy, who joined the ensemble to perform ‘Northern Attitude’ which sparked pure frenzy within the venue. This particular moment was a testament to Kahan’s impressive collaborations with music heavyweights like Post Malone, Zach Bryan, Hozier and Sam Fender.
The night also saw the live performance of unreleased track ’Forever,’ which was due to be released at midnight. In such a special moment, the entire arena seemed to unite, waving their flashlights from side to side and singing the song word for word as if it were his most celebrated anthem. No longer confined to the labels that may have pegged him as a one-trick pony, this performance of ‘Forever’ demonstrated Kahan’s musical evolution and his adeptness at crafting diverse yet universally resonant songs. The crowd’s passionate reception of an unreleased piece further solidified Noah Kahan’s status as an artist capable of delivering more than just chart-toppers.
After his TikTok success, a sizeable part of Kahan’s audience are relatively new to the party so may not have necessarily delved into his earlier discography, but that didn’t stop him from crafting the perfect setlist with a healthy mix of songs from all four albums, with ‘False Confidence’ from his debut album getting the energetic Dublin crowd on their feet.
Kahan had the crowd in the palm of his hand with fan favourites ‘Dial Drunk’ and ‘Stick Season’ which can only be described as anthems made to be sang in a stadium. Although both songs contain heavy themes of alcoholism and trauma, their catchy melodies mask this darkness, which can be considered his strongest attribute.
Ending the night with the amazing ‘Homesick’, it was probably ambitious to expect an appearance from Sam Fender after he recently featured on a re-release of this song, but no doubt we will see him appear on one of the English legs of the tour.
It’s safe to say that Noah Kahan’s first night of the tour was a triumph. “I love this city so much. Dublin, I would die for you.” he shouted as he got a standing ovation from the more than grateful crowd. He’s come a long way from rural New England, and his next stop will no doubt be a stadium near you!
Words by Cian McGivern