ALBANY — Noah Kahan performed his first-ever concert in Albany Tuesday night to a sold-out crowd at Palace Theatre, where fans echoed the lyrics to an emotional roller coaster of a setlist that spanned his discography.
The Vermont singer-songwriter delivered a stripped-back 90-minute performance defined by powerful vocals and vulnerable lyricism, captivating the audience with tracks from his third album, “Stick Season,” released in October 2022.
Named after a colloquialism in Vermont about the time of year between peak foliage and the first snow, “Stick Season” is a love letter to small-town living exploring themes of depression, isolation, sobriety and identity. Despite niche references to New England, Kahan’s songwriting transcends ZIP codes and perfectly captures the bittersweet feeling of leaving behind your small town. His words frequently teeter between being sick of home and homesick.
He kicked off the night with fan favorite, “All My Love,” which tells the story of an ex-lover who moved away from their hometown while the singer stayed behind. “Homesick” and “Northern Attitude” navigate loneliness and the concurrent love and hatred one can have for where they were raised. “If I get too close, And I’m not how you hoped, Forgive my northern attitude, Oh, I was raised out in the cold,” he sings. Kahan tackles resentment in “New Perspective,” when a loved one who left his hometown returns with a changed outlook.
Noah Kahan, shown above on May 21, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, performed to a sold-out crowd at the Palace Tuesday night.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Ghost HoundsHe’s never seen without a guitar and graces the stage with a charmingly casual style and self-deprecating humor, introducing himself as “Folk Malone or Jewish Ed Sheeran.”
Kahan presented “Growing Sideways,” inspired by unhealthy coping mechanisms, by applauding therapy and encouraging audience members to seek out help if they are able. “Even the happiest person in this crowd should go to therapy,” he said. The 26-year-old tracks his journey with depression and anxiety throughout his discography, with songs like “Orange Juice” telling the story of newfound sobriety from the perspective of old friends. A screaming crowd showed that while his songs reference specific moments in his own life, Kahan’s songwriting is a painstakingly honest depiction of universally experienced emotions.
It was a packed house full of people from all different demographics, united as they roared lyrics of every tune. Kahan basked in the moments he let the audience take over, with particular stanzas (i.e. “Liberal rednecks get drunk on a dirt road, Attention deficit kids in their gym clothes”) being sung with a striking intensity.
An uninterrupted moment of joyfulness was given to “Everything, Everywhere,” one of Kahan’s few uplifting — albeit still morbid — melodies about a love so deep it carries on through death. He also performed new songs, including “No Complaints” and, a crowd pleaser, “Dial Drunk” which will be released next Friday as part of the deluxe edition of his breakout album. Bits of the songs have been released in the past week as a teaser on social media, allowing fans to bellow the words to “Dial Drunk,” written about an alcoholic clinging to an unhealthy relationship. “That’s really cool and kind of scary that you know the words already,” Kahan laughed.
The setlist also dove into prior albums “Busyhead,” “Cape Elizabeth” and “I Was / I Am” with “False Confidence,” “Glue Myself Shut,” “Maine” and “Carlo’s Song,” a ballad dedicated to friends who have passed away.
The night ended with a highly anticipated encore that included “Mess,” “View Between Villages and title track “Stick Season,” Kahan’s most popular hit that has garnered more than 146 million listens on Spotify. The performance reminded me of why I started listening to Kahan years ago: his authenticity and unique ability to write music that not only makes you feel things but also recognizes the emotions we bury and gives them space to breathe.
Nashville singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun performed an intimate 45-minute opener, which included tunes from her new album “Proof of Life” as well as a duet “We’re All Gonna Die” with Kahan. The Black queer singer set the mood for the evening, with poetic songs that explored religious trauma, insecurities and fear and her experiences growing up the daughter of Nigerian immigrants in small-town Arizona.
Kahan has added additional tour dates to his sold-out Stick Season Summer Tour, adding a stop at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Sept. 2. Tickets are on sale online.