Vermont takes over Alabama as Noah Kahan tackles a sold out Iron City in quick fashion.
Noah Kahan 1/31/2023 at Iron City | Dylan Basden Photography
After a sudden and exponential rise to stardom online, Noah Kahan returns to Birmingham for a night of folk-laden anthems. This was Kahan's first show in Birmingham since November of 2021, where he headlined Saturn. Noah is touring in support of his third album, Stick Season, which was released in October of last year to much acclaim.
Jack Van Cleaf 1/31/2023 at Iron City | Dylan Basden Photography
Jack Van Cleaf opened up the night. Entering the stage solo, Jack's raw, emotive delivery instantly struck a nerve with the audience. As his band joined him on stage for the second song, you hear the increase in production swell his heartfelt songs to new heights. His folky, acoustic driven songs invoke a feeling of calm, while subtly digging under your skin. Jack released his debut album, Fruit from the Trees, at the beginning of last year and has been touring in support of it.
Noah Kahan 1/31/2023 at Iron City | Dylan Basden Photography
Noah Kahan has perfectly scripted a show that can only be described as two-faced. Noah's concerts are incredibly fun, folk-fused pop music through the strings of a mandolin greeted by thumping percussion and a rowdy stage presence. Noah and his band are in the zone, gliding and weaving through tons of upbeat and catchy hooks that sound arena ready. However, there is a noticeable sadness in the air, hidden amongst the dancing and joy is a devilishly sweet reality. Noah Kahan makes some sad, sad music. Underneath all of the airy strumming and bass grooves, Noah has written songs that come crushing down into the audience with such authenticity, such genuineness, that it is mesmerizing.
Do not get me mistaken, it is not lost on me that happy sad songs aren't an original idea. However, Noah seems to have taken this concept to a new level. Noah's word feel more like an earnest conversation with a friend than just a song. Connection is a driving force behind an artist's success, and it is a large reason Noah exploded online as rapidly as he has. As the audience belts back the lyrics to "All My Love", you hear a thousand different emotions tied to it. You can visually see the audience squirm as Noah sings "I saw your mom, she forgot I existed" from "Stick Season". There is a trust here that you rarely see between artists and their fans, especially live, and even more so this early in their career.
Noah Kahan 1/31/2023 at Iron City | Dylan Basden Photography
Sonically, this show was bordering on perfection. I loved the mandolin on "All My Love", the high-pitched nature added a lighthearted and engaging element to the song. The spoken-word over percussion on "She Calls Me Back" was a stellar change of pace, showcasing Kahan's dynamic delivery style. "Come Over" sees Noah hit high notes with ease, even for extended periods of time. His voice carries an elegance around it that is infectious. Kahan's backing band was also incredible, from plucky banjo, to rollicking keys, to his lead guitar player's slick playing, there wasn't anything holding them back.
Noah Kahan 1/31/2023 at Iron City | Dylan Basden Photography
With the exception of two songs, Noah covered the entirety of Stick Season. A delightful foray into Kahan's mind, it was remarkable to hear so many of these songs live. Notable songs include "New Perspective" and "Growing Sideways", the latter of the two being performed solo by Kahan. Noah's full setlist is below.
Setlist:
1. False Confidence
2. All My Love
3. Everywhere, Everything
4. Animal
5. New Perspective
6. Growing Sideways (solo)
7. Halloween
8. Maine
9. Come Over
10. Northern Attitude
11. She Calls Me Back
12. Passenger
13. Carlo's Song
14. Homesick
15. Orange Juice
16. Young Blood
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17. The View Between Villages
18. Stick Season
19. Mess
Noah Kahan 1/31/2023 at Iron City | Dylan Basden Photography
If there was any indication that Noah Kahan has exploded into the mainstream, before he even began his current run of sold out North American tour dates, he announced another run. Bigger venues, more shows, and even overlapping markets, Noah Kahan then proceeded to very quickly sell those shows out as well. Additionally, Noah has a run of shows in the United Kingdom supporting Dermot Kennedy, plus a handful of festival dates across the summer. Noah Kahan's upcoming tour dates are below.
2/02 Nashville, TN — Ryman Auditorium* (SOLD OUT)
2/03 Chattanooga, TN — The Signal* (SOLD OUT)
2/04 Louisville, KY — Old Forester's Paristown Hall* (SOLD OUT)
2/07 Indianapolis, IN — Egyptian Room* (SOLD OUT)
2/08 Columbus, OH — Kemba LIVE!* (SOLD OUT)
2/10 Detroit, MI — The Fillmore* (SOLD OUT)
2/11 Milwaukee, WI — Miller High Life Theatre* (SOLD OUT)
2/14 St. Louis, MO — The Pageant* (SOLD OUT)
2/15 Kansas City, MO — The Truman* (SOLD OUT)
2/17 Denver, CO — Mission Ballroom* (SOLD OUT)
2/18 Denver, CO — Mission Ballroom* (SOLD OUT)
3/23 Athens, OH — Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
3/31 Glasgow, UK — OVO Hydro+
4/01 Aberdeen, UK — P&J Live+
4/03 Brighton, UK — The Brighton Centre+
4/04 Bournemouth, UK — Bournemouth International Centre+
4/05 Plymouth, UK — Plymouth Pavilions+
4/07 Manchester, UK — AO Arena+
4/08 Cardiff, UK — Motorpoint Arena Cardiff+
4/10 Leeds, UK — First Direct Arena+
4/11 Nottingham, UK — Motorpoint Arena+
4/13 Birmingham, UK — Resorts World Arena+
4/14 London, UK — The O2+
5/11-13 Live Oak, FL — Echoland Music Festival 2023
5/19-21 Gulf Shores, AL — Hangout Music Festival 2023
5/26 Lewiston, NY — ARTPARK Amphitheater^ (SOLD OUT)
5/27 Boston, MA — Boston Calling 2023
5/30 Albany, NY — Palace Theatre^ (SOLD OUT)
6/01 Montréal, QC — MTELUS^ (SOLD OUT)
6/02 Montréal, QC — MTELUS^ (SOLD OUT)
6/03 Lafayette, NY — Beak & Skiff Orchards (SOLD OUT)
6/06 Pittsburg, PA — Stage AE
6/07 New York, NY — Radio City Music Hall^ (SOLD OUT)
6/09 Columbia, MD — Merriweather Post Pavilion^ (SOLD OUT)
6/10 Philadelphia, PA — The Mann Center^ (SOLD OUT)
6/11 Charlottesville, VA — Ting Pavilion^ (SOLD OUT)
6/13 Charlotte, NC — Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre^ (SOLD OUT)
6/14 Raleigh, NC — Red Hat Amphitheater^ (SOLD OUT)
6/16 Manchester, TN — Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival 2023
6/17 Atlanta, GA — Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park~ (SOLD OUT)
6/18 Charleston, SC — Firefly Distillery~ (SOLD OUT)
6/20 Asheville, NC — Rabbit Rabbit^ (SOLD OUT)
6/22 Cleveland, OH — Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica^ (SOLD OUT)
6/23 Cincinnati, OH — The ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park^ (SOLD OUT)
6/29 Burlington, VT — Burlington's Waterfront Park^ (SOLD OUT)
6/30 Burlington, VT — Burlington's Waterfront Park^ (SOLD OUT)
8/05 Saint Charles, IA — Hinterland Music Festival 2023
8/08 Phoenix, AZ — Arizona Financial Theatre^ (SOLD OUT)
8/09 San Diego, CA — Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre^ (SOLD OUT)
08/11 Los Angelos, CA — The Greek Theatre^ (SOLD OUT)
08/15 Seattle, WA — Marymoor Park^ (SOLD OUT)
08/16 Vancouver, BC — Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre^ (SOLD OUT)
08/18 Spokane, WA — Pavilion at Riverfront^ (SOLD OUT)
08/19 Bend, OR — Hayden Homes Amphitheater^ (SOLD OUT)
08/31 New York, NY — Radio City Music Hall~ (SOLD OUT)
09/12 Columbus, OH — Kemba LIVE!~
09/13 St. Louis, MO — Saint Louis Music Park~ (SOLD OUT)
09/15 Indianapolis, IN — TCU Amphitheatre at White River State Park~ (SOLD OUT)
09/16 Detroit, MI — Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill~ (SOLD OUT)
09/17 Toronto, ON — Budweiser Stage~ (SOLD OUT)
* with Jack Van Cleaf
+ supporting Dermot Kennedy
^ with Joy Oladokun
~ with Ruston Kelly
Noah Kahan 1/31/2023 at Iron City | Dylan Basden Photography
This show was something special. It is early in the year, and I personally have a lot of concerts ahead of me for 2023, but I would not be surprised if this ended up being one of my favorite shows of the year. Noah is graceful in his delivery of emotionally potent folk ballads, while simultaneously providing a bombastic and exciting show. Noah Kahan is absolutely a name to keep your eye on over the next several years, and if you can manage it, I'd highly encourage you to see him live as soon as possible. He will not be playing smaller venues anytime soon.
