Photos by Veronique Jones – Dermot Kennedy entered 2026 cementing his reputation as one of Ireland’s defining modern musical exports, transitioning from his roots as a street busker in Dublin to an established arena-headlining singer-songwriter. Early in the year, he launched the rollout for his highly anticipated third studio album, The Weight of the Woods, releasing lead singles such as “Funeral,” “Refuge,” and “Honest”. Upon its release on April 3, 2026, through Interscope and Island Records, the album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, making him the first Irish solo artist to top the chart with each of his first three studio projects.
Musically, 2026 marked a deliberate and organic evolution in Kennedy’s creative direction. While his early work blended stadium-sized pop production with acoustic storytelling, The Weight of the Woods leaned heavily into a rooted, acoustic-driven Irish folk soundscape. The album features traditional instrumentation—including uilleann pipes, bodhrán, tin whistle, and concertina—backed by a chamber choir from Maynooth University, where Kennedy previously studied classical music. The record’s thematic focus on grief, steadiness, and home provided a spacious backdrop for his trademark rasp and emotionally charged vocal delivery.
To support the record, Kennedy embarked on his extensive 2026 The Weight of the Woods Tour across North America during the autumn. Kicking off in September in Minneapolis, the 32-date trek brought his dynamic live show to landmark venues like Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, before heading into major Canadian stops in Toronto and Montreal. The tour culminates in late October 2026 with a massive headlining performance at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, showcasing his ability to scale intimate, soul-baring songwriting to the grandest stages.
