Dermot Kennedy has raised nearly $300,000 from five performances in the US and Ireland, with the money set to be given to three charities.
The acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter made an impromptu appearance on the streets of New York on December 11, taking an acoustic guitar to Washington Square Park.
Watched by legions of fans, Kennedy performed five songs including covers of The Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody,” Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City” and the traditional song “The Parting Glass.” He also played versions of his own tracks “Outnumbered” and “Better Days.” The set was also live-streamed on Instagram and TikTok and raised money for MusiCares, which aims to help those in the music scene through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts.
Kennedy said the surprise performance was “one of my favorite things I’ve ever done in my life.” “It was a beautiful energy,” he added. “My first time playing in the street in about 8 years. It was never like this though.”
Days later, the star returned to his hometown of Dublin to perform at the 3Arena on December 13 and 14. He played two shows a night at the venue, with each benefitting Pieta, an Irish non-profit with suicide and self-harm crisis centers across the country, and Focus Ireland, a non-profit working to end homelessness. Kennedy called those shows “the most fulfilling thing I’ve done in my career yet.”
The platinum-selling artist is now looking ahead to 2022, during which time he will release new music and is set to headline a number of huge outdoor gigs in Ireland in June. He will also support Shawn Mendes on the North American leg of his 2022 Wonder world tour.
In 2021, Kennedy released the Better Days and History EPs, and contributed a cover of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” for the special album The Metallica Blacklist. This year also saw his singles “Outnumbered,” “Power Over Me,” and “Giants” – as well as his collaboration with Meduza called “Paradise” – certified Platinum.
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