Dermot Kennedy – The Armory – Minneapolis MN – September 4th 2026

Dermot Kennedy live at The Armory with special guests Hunter Metts on September 4th 2026

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

The historic brick walls of The Armory felt transformed on Friday night, morphing into something resembling an enchanted, misty forest. As the North American leg of Dermot Kennedy’s “The Weight of the Woods Tour” kicked off, anticipation hung thick in the air. Fans packed the massive general admission floor and balconies, buzzing with excitement for what was promised to be a deeply immersive evening.

Kicking off the night was singer-songwriter Hunter Metts, whose delicate yet soaring vocals and honest lyricism immediately drew the early-arriving crowd in, setting a poignant, reflective tone for the evening ahead.

When the lights finally dropped, a hush fell over the room. The stage design was an immediate jaw-dropper: an intricate, multi-tiered woodland set wrapped in shadows and atmospheric lighting.

Dermot Kennedy emerged at the peak of the staircase, appearing as a lone silhouette against a backdrop of flickering fireflies and moody projections. Launching into a haunting intro of the tour’s namesake track, his signature gritty, powerhouse vocals instantly pierced the cavernous venue.

From the moment he stepped down to command the main stage, Kennedy had Minneapolis entirely in the palm of his hand. He seamlessly wove together a setlist balancing explosive, stadium-sized anthems with heart-wrenching acoustic ballads.

Live, Kennedy’s voice defies logic. It carries a raw, gravelly texture that somehow remains pitch-perfect and earth-shakingly powerful. Whether cutting through the driving percussion of upbeat numbers or standing entirely alone under a single spotlight, his delivery dripped with raw vulnerability. The synergy between Kennedy and the Minneapolis crowd was palpable. During massive sing-along moments like “Outnumbered,” the collective voice of The Armory threatened to drown out the sound system, creating a spine-tingling communal wave of emotion. The woodland theme extended far beyond the static set. Moody forest graphics, shifting lighting that simulated starlit canopies, and clever use of shadow turned the arena concert into an intimate storytelling session.

Though opening night jitters are common for any massive tour launch, Dermot Kennedy performed with the absolute polish, emotional gravity, and confidence of an artist at the very peak of his powers. “The Weight of the Woods Tour” is not just a concert; it is a cathartic, communal experience that proves why Kennedy remains one of modern music’s most compelling live acts. If the Minneapolis opener is any indication of what’s to come, fans across North America are in for an unforgettable ride.