Dermot Kennedy Dublin performance offered an intimate look at the Irish singer-songwriter’s latest chapter, bringing songs from his new album, The Weight of the Woods, to a small audience just steps from where he once busked.
Set List
- Blue Eyes
- What Have I Done
- Endless
- Carrickfergus
- Happiness
When World Cafe arrived in Dublin for its Sense of Place series, Kennedy’s image filled a magazine cover in the first shop the team visited, a sign of how prominently he figures in Ireland’s music scene today.
Kennedy had just released The Weight of the Woods, which debuted at No. 1 in the U.K., making him the first Irish artist with three No. 1 albums there. He was also preparing for a stadium run that would place him before crowds of thousands.
Instead of an arena, this session took place at Bewley’s Cafe Theatre, a cozy venue just off bustling Grafton Street, where Kennedy honed his craft as a street performer in his early days.
Dermot Kennedy Dublin performance and Ireland’s influence
In conversation, Kennedy reflected on his beginnings, the ways Ireland shapes his songwriting, and the process behind The Weight of the Woods. The stripped-back set put his voice at the forefront, including a nod to tradition with the classic ballad Carrickfergus.
Session credits include recording by Marc Aubele and mixing by William Donbavand. Video was captured by LightJar’s team of Néstor Romero Clemente, Darren McKenna, and Luke Brabazon.
This World Cafe episode was supported by the Wyncote Foundation, produced and edited by Kimberly Junod, with digital production by Miguel Perez. Engineering by Chris Williams, programming and booking by Chelsea Johnson, and line production by Will Loftus.
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