DERMOT KENNEDY | LIVE REVIEW
Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union, Sat 14 Dec
As horrendously wet and windy as it was when venturing out to see Dermot Kennedy, he became a beacon in the dark, damp December night. The queue surrounding Cardiff University’s Great Hall was a good sign, with (mostly) fan couples and gal-pals passionate to see the Dubliner bare his heart and soul. The venue’s backdrop, illuminated by a vision of turquoise, alluded to a sense of mysterious tranquility.
Lilla Vargen supported Dermot with songs from her debut EP We Were Thunder. Her pure, Birdie-esque vocals have effortless edge. It was enchanting; you could hear a pin-drop throughout the hall. Supported by drums and keys, the soulful singer filled the room with soft undertones of pop and electro-folk, showcasing her impressive vocal control.
A quick tech changeover, waft of incense and the backdrop quickly shifted into a mosaic. Moments later, ambient cobalt smoke engulfed us as Kennedy took to the stage in a tracksuit. An Evening I Won’t Forget introduced the show, with the anthemic Glory and spinetingling After Rain bookending hits Power Over Me and Outnumbered. To All My Friends and What Have I Done, too, were heartfelt and passionate.
Kennedy’s talent as both singer and songwriter is extraordinary. He could, perhaps, engage with his audience more eye contact-wise, although it didn’t detract from vocals that pulled us into poignantly personal poetry. All this was complemented by animated bandmates Kieran Jones, Jonny Coote and Micheal Quinn, each clearly loving life.
Dermot Kennedy is a brilliant and sincere wordsmith, reminiscent of David Gray or Damien Rice with the raw, gritty vocals of Springsteen and Stewart: one does hope he looks after his larynx. In a set drawn heavily from latest album Without Fear, the 27 year-old’s musical catchy pop-folk-rock style doesn’t waver. One mild criticism is the uniform style of many of his songs, but with that voice and the passion in his lyrics, I forgive him. This was 100% worth the soggy socks.
words EVE ROWLANDS