When Noah Kahan first came to the UK in 2017, he played to just 77 people. Fast forward eight years, and he’s standing in front of 65,000 fans at London’s Hyde Park — a mind-blowing leap that feels almost impossible until you see it with your own eyes.
Unlike many artists who climb the ladder by squeezing themselves into a pop mould or chasing trends, Kahan found his success by leaning into vulnerability and his true folk troubadour spirit.
Before a note was even played, Kahan and his band charmed the crowd by bringing out giant Paddington Bear and Kevin the Carrot mascots — a goofy, oddly heartwarming gesture that set the tone for the night. He joked that his mission was for everyone to leave “happy by feeling unhappy,” and judging by the sea of tears and smiles, he nailed it.
Opening with “All My Love,” the Mumford & Sons influence was clear — ukulele strums cutting through the warm evening air. By the second song, “New Perspective,” he had the crowd in the palm of his hand, cheekily swapping “Ohio” for “Hyde Park” to a roar of approval. Grace Abrams soon joined him for a beautiful rendition of “Everywhere, Everything,” their harmonies echoing through the park as dusk settled in. Later, Gigi Perez joined for “Call Your Mom,” a moment that hit especially hard as the line “Don’t wanna drive another mile wonderin’ if you’re breathin’” rolled across tens of thousands of people, many visibly moved.
Kahan isn’t just about soft strums and folk melancholy, though. He switched gears for “Dial Drunk,” a crowd favourite about “getting fucked up,” and leaned into a rockier edge with the unreleased “The Great Divide” and “Homesick.” Hearing him sing “I got dreams but I can’t make myself believe them” felt like a gut punch — a reminder of just how raw and honest his songwriting can be.
A recurring thread throughout the set was “home,” for Kahan, specifically the tiny town of Strafford, Vermont. “The View Between Villages” captured that longing perfectly, with the line “I am not scared of death, I’ve got dreams again” striking a powerful, bittersweet chord as the main set drew to a close.
Then came the encore. Kahan nearly lost the crowd when he walked out in a Chelsea football shirt, drawing a chorus of boos that quickly turned into laughter. But he won everyone back instantly with “Forever,” showing off his delicate falsetto over jangly guitar lines that felt almost Levellers-esque.
The biggest surprise of the night was Lewis Capaldi’s appearance for “Northern Attitude.” Their chemistry was electric — both musically and emotionally — and it felt like a real, unguarded moment between two artists who’ve both had to fight their own battles in public.
Finally, Kahan ended with his biggest anthem, “Stick Season,” accompanied by fireworks and a wild, joyful fiddle line that sent everyone home on an ecstatic high.
What made this show so special wasn’t just the songs, or the guest stars, or even the giant cartoon mascots — it was Kahan’s ability to unite a massive, diverse audience around vulnerability, humour, and shared heartbreak. And it turns out, you can do all that wearing cornrows and a bright blue tracksuit if you want. Just maybe leave the Chelsea shirt at home next time.
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