Noah Kahan's first Sydney night on the ‘Stick Season’ tour saw the Hordern Pavilion transform into a folk music fever dream. The fact the show not only sold out, but had fans lining up around the entire block from 5am was truly incredible.
The crowd, a sea of cowboy boots, plaid shirts, and lyrical tattoos - many featuring the mantra 'everywhere, everything', eagerly awaited the ‘Stick Season’ superstar. To kick things off, Austin-born singer and songwriter, Dylan Gossett, illuminated the stage as the opener. Treating the crowd to a mesmerizing country music experience with his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, Gossett effortlessly transported the audience to the heart of Texas, delivering a beautiful and authentic country music feast for the ears. Gossett set the perfect tone for the evening, showcasing his beautiful vocals and personality, ensuring every single crowd crisis was sorted before continuing to perform. During ‘Flip A Coin’ I witnessed an opener-rarity from the pit - the entire crowd pulling out their phone lights and being completely present. Their immediate connection to this song was breathtaking, and they completely stole my attention. It’s clear Gossett is going places!
n the moments before Kahan took to the stage, I soaked in the details of the fans at the barricade. The commitment of the first 25 or so fans was marked in inked numbers on the backs of their wrists. Wearing these numbers with pride, there was Noah Kahan merch both old and anew, more tattooed lyrics and endless visual testaments to their unwavering dedication. Once the lights went down, my earplugs only just did their job as screams of excitement ricocheted through me. Kahan navigated the stage with a cool and confident ease, displaying remarkable crowd control amid the endless waves of adoration. Opening with ‘Northern Attitude’ was the perfect choice. It’s one of those coming-of-age movie songs that has you belting out the chorus with all you have; a mix of a kick in the gut and a kiss on the cheek.
The highlights of the night’s musical journey were hands down 'All My Love,' 'You're Gonna Go Far,' 'Dial Drunk,' and of course, 'Stick Season.' He revealed that the latter was a song that had changed his life, and the way the crowd reacted was as if to say ‘it changed ours, too.” We all knew it wasn’t over until that song played, so when Kahan and his band said goodbye after ‘Dial Drunk’, every single person in the venue began stomping their feet to shake up the hall. Not a minute later and they all came rushing back on stage to carry out a three-song encore which in itself is legendary behavior. ‘The View Between Villages’, ‘Stick Season’ and ‘Homesick’ were the closers to a perfect evening.
One of the standout elements was Kahan's versatility as a musician. He seamlessly transitioned between acoustic and electric guitars, much to the delight of the audience, and even treated the crowd to the sweet sounds of the fan-favorite (and my personal favourite) mandolin. The sheer talent displayed on stage, coupled with Kahan's genuine and infectious energy, created the kind of atmosphere you dream of for a show.
Kahan's humor shone through in moments of banter with the audience.The connection he forged with his fans was further highlighted when a fan-made t-shirt reading "feeling Kahanty" was thrown on stage, which had me in fits along with everyone else. The mention of the plethora of hats given to him in Australia, including the iconic 'Bunnings' Hat, showcased Kahan's lighthearted demeanor. His innocent inquiry, "What IS that?" elicited laughter from the audience, reinforcing the genuine and down-to-earth nature that has endeared him to fans worldwide.
However, the defining moment of the night came when the entire crowd, as one cohesive unit, illuminated the venue with the glow of their phone lights. As Kahan passionately belted out the poignant lyrics of "I ain’t bitter bout much these days in some ways I’m damn lucky to be here / where the miners stayed in the good ol’ days when real men used to sleep here," a magical atmosphere enveloped the Hordern. The synchronized swaying and connectedness in the room was unforgettable.
Kahan's band was equally instrumental in elevating the concert experience. Their prowess on instruments such as the banjo, piano, mandolin, drums, and bass infused the performance with an endless supply of energy, seamlessly bouncing off of Noah and providing endless energy both to him and the crowd.
What a night for both Sydney and Kahan! It truly could not have been any better. As the crowd dispersed, it was clear this was just a stepping stone in his meteoric rise. With such fervent support and an unforgettable night behind him, it's evident Kahan is destined for even greater heights in his musical journey.
