Dermot Kennedy Serenades Chicago
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Dermot Kennedy | October 12, 2019 | Riviera Theater; Chicago, IL
All photos and review by Manish B.
Dermot Kennedy brought his Without Fear tour to Chicago on Saturday, October 12. In support of his debut album, Dermot began his North American tour with an album signing and acoustic appearance in Brooklyn, then a full kickoff concert at Myth Live in Minnesota the night before he made his way to Chicago. His day began with a “Live From Studio X” acoustic session at Martyr’s followed by a sold out show at the Riviera Theater, and I was fortunate to attend both events.
Dermot’s meteoric rise is clearly evident based on his Chicago venue history: September 2017 at Subterranean; March 2018 at Thalia Hall; August 2018, afternoon set at Lollapalooza and aftershow at Bottom Lounge; now at the Riviera; and returning March 2020 to the Aragon Ballroom.
The Martyr’s set consisted only of Dermot on vocals and Jonny Coote on keys and began with a new fan favorite on the album, “Rome.” His voice resonated even more than usual in this stripped-down setting. The remaining three songs (“Lost,” “Power Over Me,” “Outnumbered”) were even more passionate than the full-band versions fans are used to hearing. The four powerful performances were divided by a brief interview during which Dermot spoke of the album’s resounding success, his influences and the plan to create an album after so many years of releasing singles online: “I think albums are still hugely important, and even if they weren’t I think they would be important to me.” Regarding song selection for the album: “There’s certain songs on the album that have been out for a couple of years, but when that project is so important to you, it didn’t really matter to me which songs had been crucial songs or which songs had to be part of that. For me, it was like telling a story from start to finish.” The 30-minute appearance was a rare treat for fans in the room, who were surely headed to the main event that evening.
The over-packed Riviera Theater was ready for Dermot’s first Chicago appearance in over a year. The show appropriately began with “An Evening I Will Not Forget”; a live staple that has again evolved. At the end of the song, Dermot added a verse that is layered under effects on the album but was sung clearly in concert for the first time. “Lost” and “The Corner” followed before the first song in the set making its live debut on this tour, “What I Have I Done.” The setlist was a 15-song blend of long-time favorites (“Evening,” “All My Friends,” “After Rain”), live debuts (“What Have I Done,” “Rome,” “Redemption”) and band favorites (“Moments Passed,” “Couldn’t Tell”), appeasing fans who were worried that songs that did not make it onto the album would be abandoned. With such a vast catalogue, it would be hard to include every fan’s favorite track and as the band continues to tour relentlessly, the setlist will likely evolve again.
“Without Fear,” the title track and album closer, was a definite highlight. A song that has not been performed live in years, it begins softly with Dermot and his acoustic guitar, builds to the full band in unison and explodes into the powerful final lyrics:
Now I really think you’re heaven sent
‘Cause you’ve been forcin’ all these hollow hearts to feel again
Now I really think you’re heaven sent
‘Cause there’s a beauty in being broken, I’ve been seein’ it
Dermot’s vocal delivery in unison with drummer, Micheál Quinn, pounding the beat is intense in this moment and the listener cannot help but exhale at the end. Its presence on both the album and the setlist feels vital.
As Dermot introduced “Outnumbered,” the first single from the album, fans throughout the theater held up signs made by a fan and distributed outside the venue consisting of the song title, lyrics and the date and venue of the concert. It was not the first display of unity by Dermot’s devoted fanbase, but its effect on him was clear from his reaction. Mid-song, he requested “Can you hold them up for me?” and the crowd cooperated enthusiastically.
With two songs remaining, Dermot tried to prepare the fans for the end by introducing the band before the explosive sing-along of “Power Over Me.” The chemistry between Jonny and bass player, Kieran Jones, is irresistible during this performance. The concert closed with the beautiful “After Rain,” a song that did not make the album but has been his show closer for years. Rather than calling it the end, he introduced the song as a beautiful way to cap off the night and requested the audience to sing the final lyric with him, and again they obliged.
Dermot Kennedy and his band have been road warriors in their young career. If you can see them live, do not miss it: http://www.dermotkennedy.com/tour
Setlist – October 12, 2019 – Martyr’s, Chicago, IL (acoustic)
Rome
Lost
Power Over Me
Outnumbered
Setlist – October 12, 2019 – Riviera Theater, Chicago, IL
An Evening I Will Not Forget
Lost
The Corner
What Have I Done
Moments Passed
Rome
All My Friends
Couldn’t Tell
Without Fear
For Island Fires and Family
Glory
Outnumbered
Redemption
Power Over Me
After Rain
