Dermot Kennedy
21st July 2019
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Mike Beck. Photography by Chris Zwaagdyk.
They say, and I’m witness to this myself, that Ireland and New Zealand have a parallel when it comes to the land and the people of these two proud nations. The folk are found to be friendly and humble (for the most part), while both landscapes look uncannily similar in more than a few places. So, with that in mind, it was no surprise that a large contingent of ex-pat and visiting Irish, as well as local fans alike turned out in droves to witness relative newcomer and online sensation Dermot Kennedy do his thing. And despite some concerning progressive damage to his vocal chords – which he referenced a few times throughout the night to a packed out Powerstation – Kennedy proved an absolute winner by evenings end.
A very late entry brought in to cover the support slot (with two days notice), and making a somewhat stealthy entrance to the stage, was former Midnight Youth frontman Jeremy Redmore. Having released one solo record with 2014’s Clouds Are Alive and working on a sophomore follow-up due for release later this year, Redmore produced a well-crafted set filled with a mix of his solo material and a couple of classics from Midnight Youth’s back catalogue. Performing on his own and alternating between both Telecaster and acoustic guitars, Redmore warmed up the full house, with both confident vocals and assured accompaniment on his instruments. He tested the crowds own collective voice, by way of sing-along moments to hits such as ‘Bad Philosophy’ and the set-finishing anthem ‘All on Our Own’, while enticing audience participation to light their cell phones for ballad ‘Southern Lights’.
Courtesy also saw Redmore request the audience to raise cheers to usher in the nights main attraction.
Hailing from Rathcoole, near Dublin, 27-year-old Kennedy arrived here for his first ever NZ visit/debut performance, on the back of a whopping 3 million plus online streams of his repertoire. Having signed to indie darlings Interscope Records, Kennedy has risen the ranks considerably this year; firstly, the release of his self-titled debut album in January, a quick second full-length due for release in September pressing forward his current momentum.
Dressed casually in a tracksuit and baseball cap, Kennedy immediately alerted us that a recent trip to the doctor’s office had revealed his voice to not be in great shape, which prompted him to request that all in attendance help guide him through the night’s proceedings. It was this honesty and openness, which is indicative of Kennedy’s sound and song-writing itself, that had the sizeable crowd on his side from the get go.
Kennedy’s energetic three piece backing band set the tone for the evening, with a sound described as controlled heartfelt rawness; flamboyant drummer Micheál Quinn driving opener ‘All My Friends’ along with a 16th note rolling-train groove on his snare drum. Second number ‘Lost’ saw Kennedy don his acoustic guitar, something that stayed with him for the most part, and presented him as a leftie as well as an emotional player rather than a highly technical one.
The hit ‘Outnumbered’ lifted the crowd chants and exemplified Kennedy’s musical style, mixing his folk and pop influences, with elements of hip-hop and even drum ‘n’ bass (more drums than bass). A new tune, ‘The Corner’ continued Kennedy’s constant love song themes, in a big balladry format. Also showing up here on many occasions was the subdued and rather somewhat abrupt song endings that Kennedy employs, crescendo finishes being almost completely absent.
‘Couldn’t Tell’ highlighted Quinn’s kit, comprising a mix of electronic and acoustic drums. ‘Moments Passed’ opened and incorporated a coarse-sounding vocal loop, transposed on keys by Jonny Coote. Kennedy announced that he held back the release of the next number ‘For Island Fires and Family’, on the grounds of the level of personal significance it has for himself, teased in part with its title referral to his homeland. He performed it unaccompanied in honour of this. It was this track that got down to the essence of Kennedy’s music, a moment in the night that explained the summoning of his extensive, appreciative audience.
‘Dancing Under Red Skies’, is an early recording produced from busking money, and which Kennedy described as “precious to me.” It at once announced the origin of honing his craft (along with a background of performing at open mic nights) and lyrically explained the dilemma faced if he gains success, a sadness if you will at the distance it would create from close friendships acquired long before.
‘Stockholm’ spoke about “the light always finding you in the room”, its staggered drumbeat and floating keys giving it a dreamy, somewhat dismantled feel. Kieran Jones did a great job throughout the evening alternating between keys and bass, often playing them simultaneously.
“We’ll be alright” pleaded Kennedy in ‘Shelter’, another sparse ballad that shifted to a drum ‘n’ bass outro, aiding an unpredictable yet rocksteady future. ‘Glory’ brought the high percentage of ladies in the house together in vocal unison “and she’s singing to me…” Here again Quinn added some deep tom outbursts, and drum and bass patterns to great effect.
Smash hit ‘Power Over Me’ unsurprisingly proved a crowd favourite. Then the night’s final number arrived, ‘After Rain’ through which Kennedy proclaimed his connection to family and the grounding it provides for him. He responded by cranking up his rhythm guitar before he danced some energetic interplay with Quinn, who added double-kick punctuations to match him. Kennedy appreciatively thanked the audience for staying with him and helping him through, expressing that he felt touched about the big numbers that had turned out in support of him.
One of the cool things about Kennedy is that he has not bowed to cultural appropriation. His Irish accent cuts through strong. Even subtracting his vocal injury, there is rawness and honesty in both his voice and lyrics.
So far, Kennedy’s churning out love songs exclusively and indeed it may be what he deals in for all time. If that is to be the case, long may he run boyo.
Were you there at the Powerstation to witness this magnificent singer-songwriter? Or have you seen Dermot Kennedy perform live somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- All My Friends
- Lost
- Outnumbered
- The Corner
- Couldn’t Tell
- Moments Passed
- For Island Fires And Family
- Dancing Under Red Skies
- An Evening
- Stockholm
- Shelter
- Glory
- Power Over Me
- After Rain
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Such a great evening, it was special to see Dermot here in NZ at last. Thanks for the great review of the evening, I agree entirely.