Culture, Music, News

Dermot Kennedy @ AO Arena review – A history making concert

0 332

Featured image and gallery: Ben Redshaw


Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy delivered his largest performance to date at Manchester’s AO Arena on Friday, capturing the hearts of his Manchester fans.

Kennedy is currently touring the UK to promote his latest album, Sonder, and was supported by American folk musician Noah Kahan for his latest date.

Kahan rose to fame after releasing his now-iconic hit song ‘Young Blood’, which has amassed over 9 million streams since 2017. Kahan opened his set with two timeless songs: ‘The View Between Villages’ and ‘All My Love’, both played exclusively on the ukulele. 

Announcing himself to the audience after his first two songs, Kahan said: “Some people say I look like a Jewish Ed Sheeran, but tonight, I’m Folk Malone.” The folk star wrapped up his stunning performance with ‘Young Blood.’

After a brief intermission, Kennedy took to the stage and the crowd went wild. He delighted the audience with ‘Blossom,’ ‘Power Over Me,’ and ‘One Life’. 

Kennedy played a couple of solo piano tunes, making the show more melodious. “I close my eyes and try to look for a day in the past, a perfect memory,” he said before performing ‘Rome.’ 

13,000 people lit up the AO Arena for Kennedy’s biggest performance of his career so far. This feat not lost on Kennedy when he addressed his audience: “Even though we’ve been on tour for a while, it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long since we played The Deaf Institute for 200 people.” 

As thousands of fans yelled and chanted for their favourite Irish singer-songwriter, Kennedy came back on stage for his encore to perform some of his biggest hits, including ‘Kiss Me,’ ‘Outnumbered,’ and the show-closing, uplifting ‘Something To Someone.’ 

Dermot Kennedy will continue to tour the UK throughout 2023, with dates in London, Edinburgh and Scarborough.


Gallery: Noah Kahan supporting Dermot Kennedy at AO Arena


Gallery: Dermot Kennedy performance at AO Arena


About the author / 

Ben Redshaw

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • Is This Thing On? @ Contact Theatre review – raw, outstanding and heartwarming

    Featured image: Aaron Shaw ‘Is This Thing On?’ is a unique debut show, a product of the creative collaboration between Ellie Campbell, Megan Keaveney (MissMatch), and the So La Flair theatre company. Following its debut appearance at Contact Theatre, the show promises to be a memorable experience for those attending the tour across Wigan, Leeds,…

  • Album review: Seagoth – How to Stay Wide Awake

    Featured image: Seagoth “This album is dedicated to all of the people who can’t take a day off from themselves, to the people who have to face their greatest fears every single day – and to all the pain we feel, may we heal”. – Seagoth on How to Stay Wide Awake. While studying music…

  • Is This Thing On: Feminist theatre with a twist comes to Contact

    Featured image: So La Flair Theatre Ellie Campbell and Megan Keaveney graduated last year from Manchester Theatre School. The pair met at a house party in their first year, where Ellie was standing on a table singing her heart out to Florence and the Machine. Megan locked eyes with her and knew they would be…