I have been a fan of Dermot Kennedy for years and I was lucky to catch him in Aotearoa, playing a SOLD OUT Powerstation. However this time around he wasn’t visiting us in New Zealand so I knew I had to catch him in Melbourne. Upon arriving at the venue there was queue ready to get in and get to the front of the barrier. Once in the venue seemed to pack out pretty quickly. I didn’t know if it was sold out but it sure looked like it was heading that way.
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MIIESHA took the stage with a 3-piece band (Guitar, drums and keys). The venue was about half full with people continuing to file in. I had heard of Miiesha but hadn’t hear her music before. I was so hyped to see an indigenous women on the stage, playing to this packed-out crowd. I think I am just too accustomed to support acts being people who already have quite the platform etc. So I was stoked for her. She paced that stage like it was the norm. Her vocals and energy were amazing. Before departing the stage she thanked Dermot Kennedy and his crew for having her.
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The venue was definitely full at this point. I could see other people had traveled to see him and there were actually quite a lot of Irish people in the audience as well. It got loud with everyone chatting and all I could think was, I hope this crowd will sing-a-long.
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DERMOT KENNEDY finally took the stage. The stage was built with a few platforms which both he and his band used. The lighting wrapped the platforms and the stage. It really suited the music and the emotion he was trying to push through in his music. His vocals were just as good as the last time I heard him at The Powerstation. The bigger venue really let his vocals sound so strong and it just made you feel like you were immersed in the music, not just watching it front of you.
Though as incredible as Dermot was, seriously couldn’t fault his performance, the crowd ruined it for me. That loud banter I mentioned earlier, kept going throughout his performance and was just very irritating. It wasn’t just general chat, it was drunk and I am shouting even though you can hear me chat. I just tried to focus on Dermot and enjoy myself as it was a great performance and I really love his music.
We decided to leave just before he finished to beat the crowd out and get home. We were also a bit over the loud crowd by that point. But I am so glad I got to see him, but I think I would love a Powerstation show again. Maybe next time Dermot?
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