A Night With Dermot Kennedy

Photographs by Ishani Buff

Rain, hail, or shine, thousands of long-awaited fans had gathered at the Sidney Myer Bowl with shawls and a drink or two in their hands for Irish singer-songwriter - Dermot Kennedy. In the endless puddles along the tracks of the Botanic Gardens, people of all ages knew that they were in for a powerhouse of a performance and that no matter how close or far they were to this singing legend, not a single song was worth being missed. 

But before we could give it all to the legend himself, fans were gifted with a special opening act by the one and only Mia Wray. Known for alternative and indie grooves, we fell in awe of the way she moved to the rhythm of her hit sensations ‘Tell Her’ and ‘Never Gonna Be The Same’. It had really set the tone for the night with her soft melodies and captivating heart-breaking tunes. 

Endless droplets of rain carried throughout the night and the lights glistened amongst thousands of people to the back of the lawn. The crowd was eager to let their hearts out and sing with all their mighty powerful voices as chants of ‘DK’ came from one voice to another. Patiently holding signs to some of Dermont’s iconic hits, as the lights dimmed and the blue smoke settled in the air, fans cheered for what was to be there.

The band set the stage with a hit of the keys and a strum of the electric guitar, Dermot had kicked off on stage and his voice amplified amongst the arena, leaving a rich and empowering sound. In the way he expressed himself through each word and tone, walking across the stage with every ounce of his body to words that sit heavy in his heart. 

You could feel that his connection with the audience was very genuine and uplifting. With smiles and tears across each and every face in the crowd, Dermot continued to create wonders with some of my favourite performances of his including ‘Power Over Me’, ‘Outnumbered’ and ‘Two Hearts’. Talking about life’s beauty and struggle to balance the power you have within yourself and around you.

‘The Sonder Tour’ felt captivating, enlightening, and graceful. He was expressing every feat of emotion with love, heartbreak, harmony, and constraint. In every shape and form, you felt intertwined with the way Dermot presented his art to the audience. It felt breathtaking to watch, but even more captivating to be able to feel something within a place like this.