On October 15th, 2019, Ireland-born singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy played a sold-out show at the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio. This was Kennedy’s first show in Cleveland, let alone Ohio, so it was a moment that everyone attending would keep with them forever.
Opening up the night was Talos, an alternative artist from Cork, Ireland. The group set up the vibe for the night with their calming sounds, yet everyone in the audience gathered up much excitement for the rest of the night.
Kennedy then made his presence known by unexpectedly showing up center-stage on a raised platform, as the fog cleared off the stage, and started the night with his powerful hit, “An Evening I Will Not Forget.” The energy in the crowd was immediately lifted and everyone roared with cheers as the show started off strong.
The crowd was very interactive throughout the show, making Kennedy feel welcome and loved as they shouted compliments towards him. Some even made signs using song titles of Kennedy’s to create puns, attempting to get a laugh out of him. As Kennedy’s debut album had just come out a week before the show, he had many new songs to perform that people hadn’t seen live yet. At the same time, many of the crowd was pleased as he sang some well-known songs as well, such as “Moments Passed,” “Glory” and “Power Over Me.”Kennedy ended his performance with his heartbreakingly beautiful voice as he sang “After Rain”, leaving the crowd feeling very emotional. Although many from the U.S. aren’t too familiar with Kennedy, his music is on the rise and soon to blow up throughout the nation. Be on the lookout for his name and make sure to listen to his debut album, “Dermot Kennedy.”