What to expect at Dermot Kennedy’s The Weight of the Woods Tour: Setlist, start time and more

Dermot Kennedy’s concerts can turn from a nearly silent room hanging on every lyric to thousands of fans shouting “Outnumbered” back at him in a matter of minutes. His 2026 “The Weight of the Woods Tour” still has both sides of that experience, but this time his newest album is right at the center of the show.

Now that the North American leg is underway, there’s a much clearer picture of what fans can expect. Kennedy is playing close to two hours each night, pulling heavily from The Weight of the Woods while still making room for songs like “Outnumbered,” “Better Days” and “Power Over Me.”

Here’s what to know before seeing Dermot Kennedy live in 2026, from the setlist and opening acts to his typical stage time, concert length and what the show is actually like.

Ultimate guide to Dermot Kennedy’s “The Weight of the Woods Tour”

“The Weight of the Woods Tour” is built around Dermot Kennedy’s third studio album, The Weight of the Woods, which arrived April 3, 2026. And this is very much an album tour: recent North American shows have featured around 10 or 11 songs from the record alongside favorites from Without Fear, Sonder and Kennedy’s earlier releases.

The North American run continues through Oct. 29, with upcoming stops at venues including Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the Greek Theatre, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and Rogers Arena.

Upcoming Dermot Kennedy 2026 North American Tour dates

Here are the remaining dates on Dermot Kennedy’s 2026 North American tour:

Who is opening for Dermot Kennedy in 2026?

Jonah Kagen is the main opener on Dermot Kennedy’s North American tour, though the support lineup changes on select dates.

Kagen has been playing a mix of songs including “Matches,” “Don’t Feel Right,” “Save My Soul,” “Chrissy,” “The Roads” and “God Needs the Devil.” At the Sept. 26 Syracuse show, all six appeared in his opening set.

Aaron Rowe has also joined Kennedy on select stops, including Boston and Forest Hills, while the Oct. 24 show at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium lists both Rowe and Kagen. Hunter Metts is also scheduled to appear on select dates.

Because some shows have one opener and others have two, check your specific event listing before deciding when to arrive.

What time does Dermot Kennedy go on stage?

Dermot Kennedy has generally been starting between about 8:30 and 9:10 p.m. on recent North American dates, though the exact time changes depending on the venue and how many opening acts are on the bill.

Recent shows give a pretty good sense of the range. Kennedy started at 8:30 p.m. in Philadelphia, 9:00 p.m. in Indianapolis and Laval and 9:10 p.m. in Boston. The Indianapolis show also had Jonah Kagen on from 8:00 to 8:40 p.m. before Kennedy took the stage at 9:00.

Boston ran a little later with two support acts, as Jonah Kagen and Aaron Rowe both played before Kennedy’s 9:10 p.m. start.

The safest move is to treat those times as a guide rather than a guarantee. Check your specific show details and get there in time for the opener rather than planning your arrival around Kennedy’s estimated stage time.

How long is a Dermot Kennedy concert?

Dermot Kennedy’s current headline set lasts right around two hours.

Recent shows have been especially consistent. Boston ran from 9:10 to 11:00 p.m., while Laval went from 9:00 to 10:50 p.m.

That only covers Kennedy’s portion of the night. Once you factor in Jonah Kagen, Aaron Rowe, Hunter Metts or any other support act on your date, plus the changeover before Kennedy comes on, you could easily be at the venue for three hours or more.

If you want to catch everything, plan your night around the advertised show time rather than just Kennedy’s expected stage time.

What is Dermot Kennedy’s 2026 tour setlist?

Dermot Kennedy has kept the backbone of his 2026 setlist very consistent, even though a handful of songs change from night to night.

Recent shows in Philadelphia, Boston, Indianapolis and Laval have all opened with “The Weight of the Woods (Reprise),” “Honest” and “Outnumbered,” followed by a run that regularly includes “Sycamore,” “Refuge,” “Lost,” “An Evening I Will Not Forget” and “All My Friends.”

The middle of the show is where there has been a little more movement. Indianapolis included “Wasted,” “Carrickfergus” and “Blue Eyes,” Boston featured “Carrickfergus” and “Boston,” while Philadelphia included “The Only Time I Prayed.”

The finish has been much more predictable. “Turnstile,” “Better Days,” “Power Over Me” and “Funeral” have formed the closing four-song run at multiple recent shows.

Here is the 19-song setlist from Kennedy’s Sept. 22 show in Philadelphia:

Treat that as a strong preview of the current show rather than a guaranteed song-for-song setlist. The core has stayed very stable, but Kennedy has been leaving himself a little room to swap in different songs depending on the night.

What songs from “The Weight of the Woods” does Dermot Kennedy play?

A lot of them. The Weight of the Woods is the clear centerpiece of Kennedy’s 2026 show, with recent North American sets typically featuring around 10 songs from the album.

Across shows in Philadelphia, Boston, Indianapolis and other recent stops, “The Weight of the Woods (Reprise),” “Honest,” “Sycamore,” “Refuge,” “Happiness,” “Endless,” “The Weight of the Woods,” “Stockholm,” “Turnstile” and “Funeral” have all been regular parts of the set.

There is still some room for changes. “The Only Time I Prayed,” “Wasted” and “Blue Eyes” have appeared on select nights rather than every show.

So if you are going primarily for the new record, you will get plenty of it.

Does Dermot Kennedy play “Outnumbered?”

Yes. “Outnumbered” has been one of the most consistent songs on Dermot Kennedy’s 2026 tour.

Recent shows in Philadelphia and Boston placed it third in the set, immediately after “The Weight of the Woods (Reprise)” and “Honest.” Indianapolis pushed it back one spot after “Wasted,” but it still appeared near the very beginning of the night.

Does Dermot Kennedy play “Power Over Me?”

Yes. “Power Over Me” remains a major part of the 2026 setlist and has consistently landed near the very end of the show.

Philadelphia, Boston and Indianapolis all featured it as the second-to-last song, immediately before “Funeral.”

Does Dermot Kennedy play “Better Days?”

Yes. “Better Days” has also been a regular part of Kennedy’s 2026 tour.

Recent shows in Philadelphia, Boston and Indianapolis all placed it late in the set, directly between “Turnstile” and “Power Over Me.”

Is there an encore at Dermot Kennedy’s 2026 concert?

Recent shows in Boston, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and Indianapolis have all ended without the usual walk-off-and-return encore break. Instead, Kennedy moves straight through the final stretch of the set and closes with “Funeral.”

That means “Power Over Me” is not your cue to start waiting for an encore. Once “Funeral” ends, the show is over.

What is Dermot Kennedy’s 2026 stage production like?

“The Weight of the Woods Tour” looks and feels tied closely to the new album, with a stage design built around darker, forest-like imagery rather than a standard arena setup.

Fans at recent shows have called out the lighting, backing vocals and full-band production in particular, with the set moving between quieter moments that put Kennedy’s voice front and center and much bigger arrangements once the band fully kicks in.

That contrast is a big part of the show. Songs such as “Power Over Me” get the larger, full-production treatment, while the more stripped-back parts of the night still feel intimate enough to keep the focus on Kennedy rather than the staging.

When should you arrive for a Dermot Kennedy concert?

If you want to catch the full night, aim to be at the venue about 60 to 90 minutes before the advertised show time.

That gives you time to get through security, grab merch or food and be in place before the opener starts. It also matters because Kennedy’s stage time has varied from show to show, especially on dates with more than one support act.

Do not plan your arrival around an estimated 8:30 or 9 p.m. Kennedy start. At recent shows, Jonah Kagen has gone on around 8 p.m., and dates with an additional opener can start even earlier.

At venues like Red Rocks or Mishawaka Amphitheatre, give yourself extra time for parking, walking and entry.

What should you bring to a Dermot Kennedy concert?

The biggest thing to plan around is the venue. This tour jumps between arenas, theaters and outdoor amphitheaters, so what you need in Birmingham could look pretty different from what you need at Red Rocks or the Greek Theatre.

For the outdoor dates, layers are probably the most useful thing you can bring. Several of the remaining shows are happening in October, and the temperature can drop fast once Kennedy is well into his set.

A portable charger is also worth considering if you plan on getting there early for Jonah Kagen or another opener. Between photos, videos and mobile tickets, your battery can take a hit over the course of a long night.

Before you leave, check your specific venue’s bag policy and prohibited-items list. That is more useful than following one catch-all packing list for every stop on the tour.

What should you wear to a Dermot Kennedy concert?

There is no real dress code for a Dermot Kennedy show, and the crowd tends to keep things pretty casual.

Comfort matters more than dressing for a specific aesthetic, especially on this tour. Some dates mean arena seats and short walks from the concourse, while stops like Red Rocks can mean stairs, longer walks and a much cooler temperature by the end of the night.

Jeans, sweaters, flannels and tour shirts all fit right in. For the outdoor shows, build your outfit around the nighttime forecast rather than whatever the temperature says in the afternoon.

Is a Dermot Kennedy concert good for younger fans?

Generally, yes. Kennedy’s shows draw a pretty broad mix of fans, and the music itself is not the main thing parents need to plan around.

The bigger considerations are the venue, volume and how late the night can run. Kennedy’s set lasts close to two hours, and adding one or two opening acts can turn it into a fairly long evening.

If you are bringing a younger fan, check the age rules for your specific venue and section before buying tickets, especially for general-admission areas. Hearing protection is also a good idea once the full band gets going.

How to get Dermot Kennedy tour tickets on SeatGeek

Ready to hear “Outnumbered,” “Better Days” and “Power Over Me” live? Here’s how to find Dermot Kennedy tickets on SeatGeek:

1. Go to SeatGeek or open the SeatGeek app. Search Dermot Kennedy to see available concerts.

2. Choose your tour date. Select the city and venue you want to attend.

3. Open the interactive seat map. Compare available sections, rows and ticket locations. This is especially helpful at amphitheaters where sightlines and distances can vary significantly.

4. Use SeatGeek’s filters. Narrow listings by price, ticket quantity, section and other preferences.

5. Check Deal Score. Deal Score helps you compare the value of available listings using factors including seat location and price.

6. Review the full ticket details. Confirm the date, section, row, quantity, delivery method and total price before completing checkout.

7. Purchase your tickets. Follow the checkout prompts to complete your order. Eligible purchases are backed by the SeatGeek Buyer Guarantee.

8. Get your mobile tickets ready before the concert. Follow the delivery instructions in your SeatGeek account and make sure your phone is charged before heading to the venue.

“The Weight of the Woods Tour” gives fans nearly two hours with Kennedy’s new album, longtime favorites and one of the strongest closing runs in his current set. Browse Dermot Kennedy tickets on SeatGeek and find the seats that work best for your night.