There’s something special about seeing a show at the Ryman. The way sound travels through that old wooden hall, the quiet reverence that fills the room before the first note, it’s unlike anywhere else. And on October 19, Dermot Kennedy made the most of every inch of magic the auditorium had to offer.
Before he even took the stage, the night began with Haffway, an artist who immediately set the tone with a set full of slow-burning emotion. His sound had this layered, dreamy feel, the kind that sneaks up on you halfway through a song, and his charm and humor just added to the experience, as he crack jokes about his sad songs and tour mishaps, the crowd was eating out of his hands. You could tell people who came for Dermot didn’t expect to be drawn in so quickly, but by the end of Haffway’s set, the crowd was already locked in. It was a perfect warm-up, as it was calm, heartfelt, genuinely funny and quietly powerful.
When the lights dimmed and Dermot walked out, the Ryman erupted, but not in the wild, chaotic way some concerts do. It was more of a collective exhale, like everyone was ready to feel something together and Dermot was there to be the pillar of emotion that channeled through the old church. As he opened with nothing but a guitar and a spotlight, playing “For Island Fires and Family”, a deeper but emotional cut, the packed auditorium was enraptured. There’s a grit to Dermot’s voice that hits you hard, but it’s the way he moves between strength and softness that really gets you, as if all the pain you have felt, he has found a way to make something beautiful from it.
Throughout the night, Dermot mixed older favorites with newer material, giving the crowd the best of both worlds. Songs like “Power Over Me” and “Outnumbered” had the audience singing every word, while quieter moments like “Moments Passed” felt almost personal as in these moments you are fighting back the tears. He didn’t need much production, just a few lights that imitated a warm living room in a cabin and his band behind him, because his voice did all the heavy lifting. At times, it felt like you could hear a pin drop between verses as each sorrowful note filled the venue. You could see people in the pews wiping away tears, totally caught up in the moments that were being woven that night.
What made this show so memorable wasn’t just Dermot’s voice, though that was reason enough. It was the connection to the crowd that had been awaiting his return. He talked to the crowd like he was catching up with old friends, sharing little stories, smiling between songs, clearly soaking in the Ryman’s history. He even paused at one point just to take in the sight of the audience singing back at him, visibly moved. By the time he closed with his haunting cover of “Carrickfergus” the whole place felt lighter, as hundreds of strangers shared one last cathartic moment before the lights came up.
Haffway’s thoughtful opener, the Ryman’s warmth, and Dermot Kennedy’s raw emotion all came together for one of those nights that special in a way that words cannot describe. It wasn’t the flashiest show, but it didn’t need to be. It proved that sometimes all you need to be moved is a dialed back stage setup with a little light, a beautiful voice, and the emotion to carry it. Dermot Kennedy’s A Promised Return was an intimate and absolutely beautiful night that will go down in the annals of the legendary Ryman.
Dermot Kennedy’s A Promised Return tour continues through October 28th of 2025. For upcoming shows, visit https://www.dermotkennedy.com/tour/.
Follow Dermot Kennedy and Haffway on their socials below:
Dermot Kennedy: Instagram // Facebook
Haffway: Instagram // Facebook
