*CREDIT THE PHOTOGRAPHER IF IMAGES USED, PLEASE! NO EDITING AND/OR REMOVAL OF WATERMARK(S)*
*CREDIT THE PHOTOGRAPHER IF IMAGES USED, PLEASE! NO EDITING AND/OR REMOVAL OF WATERMARK(S)*
*CREDIT THE PHOTOGRAPHER IF IMAGES USED, PLEASE! NO EDITING AND/OR REMOVAL OF WATERMARK(S)*
*CREDIT THE PHOTOGRAPHER IF IMAGES USED, PLEASE!
NO EDITING AND/OR REMOVAL OF WATERMARK(S)*PHOTO BY NICOLETTE CUNNINGHAM
Fans crowd the open-air amphitheater on a chilly Monday night at San Diego State’s popular concert venue. Dermot Kennedy, a passionate singer-songwriter from Dublin takes the stage as a blue hued mist covers the floor. Modestly dressed in baggy beige trousers and an oversized zip-up, he looks absolutely ready to sing his heart and soul out. A very simple set up was all Kennedy needed to let his emotive songs do the talking.
Opening with a strong “An Evening I Will Not Forget,” his passionate words filled the amphitheater. His rich but deep and raspy voice screams out line after line, slowly building the emotional tone for the night.
With a voice powerful enough to incite tears, he dives into ballads like “Couldn’t Tell,” “Lost,” “Rome,” “What Have I Done,” and “Moments Passed” each one captivating the audience.
PHOTO BY NICOLETTE CUNNINGHAM
As the show builds, so do the scenes behind him, flashing dark images of the woods, eyes, doves and ravens (referencing the name of a previous EP), as well as women’s silhouettes.
Every few songs he would give an insight about the lyrics, showing his passion for the music he writes. Just before performing “All My Friends” Kennedy explains, “this song is about friendships and relationships you’re not quite ready to leave behind and places you’re not ready to say goodbye to.”
After another commentary, he fidgets a bit and blurts out “it’s very quiet I feel like I’m giving a speech,” absolutely charming the crowd and reminding everyone of his incredibly sweet nature.
His beautiful voice sang each song like it was overwhelming him with emotion to get the words out; a feeling not all artists can convey in their music.
The crowd-pleasers of the night were “Power Over Me” and “Outnumbered,” two of the most popular releases of his career thus far. Kennedy closes an amazing show with “After Rain.” He encourages everyone to sing “you won’t go lonely” with him all the way to the end as his voice slowly fades away and the music dies down truly making it an evening I will not forget.
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