Festival Review: Dermot Kennedy - All Points East // Victoria Park, London // August 2023
Dermot Kennedy's flawless performance sparkled across All Points East.
Entering into All Points East feels like walking onto the main stage, there are are thousands of people buzzing around and the atmosphere electric. After all the rain from the day before, the sun blazing down on everyone here. It’s going to be a good day.
I was immensely excited to watch James Vincent McMorrow as I grew up listening to his relaxing tones on his guitar. I was captivated when I saw him barefoot, alone and singing his heart out.
It was the most perfect way to start the festival.
Beautiful, calm, honest.
The sun blaring down while everyone softly smiled and enjoyed the moment. He said, “I’m barefoot like a complete fuckhead and I don’t care, this is amazing.”
The set seemed to be over so fast and the festival roared back at him with applause and smiling faces. Incredible.
In between James Vincent McMorrow and waiting for Nick Mulvey, I bumped into a couple who had solely come to see Nick Mulvey. They discussed with me their favourite songs while sipping on gin and tonic, “Mountain to move!” they said!
Before we knew it, Nick Mulvey was on the stage, his backdrop his famous red flowers which he uses on tour posters.
“Unconditional” was beautiful. He carried us like a summer breeze through his songs with the thumping bass over intricate guitar lines. The festival danced along with him and Nick Mulvey grinning like the Cheshire cat with us.
“Wake up Now” was the most summer moment for me, everyone swaying and singing along. Nick Mulvey got the audience to sing different parts along in a fun, beautiful round. Loved it. Stunning!
He finished his set on ‘Mountain the Move’, which was so bright and warming you couldn’t help but bop along. The audience was sad to see him leave the stage, hoping for one more song.
AURORA’s set was astounding, her energy commanded the stage, the earth and us. She bounded into her track, “The River”, running across the stage and singing so passionately I could feel her emotion in every syllable.
AURORA is so authentic, she says, “This one is for people who hold pain in their heart” before healing everyone in the festival site. Her freedom on the stage is powerful, everyone wants to be her and be her friend all at the same time - an AURORA paradox.
She sings about the Earth and asks us if we can feel the energy beneath our feet, beneath our hands and how we need to stay together followed by “This one is for the gays!” and into her song, “Queendom”. The festival is dancing along with her beautiful energy and music, she brings fun, creativity and spiritual freedom to her performance.
“Running with the Wolves' was a personal favourite, she sang flawlessly with her band harmonies rising to the sky and supporting her while she gave it everything she had.
She finished her incredible set holding her band in a hug while waving a pride flag. The festival cheered and I could hear people talking about how good she was and how they were going to go listen to her music again.
While waiting for Olivia Dean I went and wolfed down a What The Pitta wrap and walked around the festival site. The American Express booth was fun, adorned in glitter, candyfloss and arcade machines where prizes could be won. Vuse Vapes had some cool art installations that you could walk around in, filled with rainbows and glass.
Olivia Dean’s hour-long set was immaculate. The whole festival had shown up, ready and excited. Golden hour shone on her stage and made it feel like the festival glowed for the whole hour.
She jumps straight into, “Messy” her vocal performance sparkling through the sunlight - along with her pleated sparkly skirt. She treated us to acoustic songs on the guitar and big blow out moments, she told us all to ‘be present’ and just exist as we are.
She triumphed through her set, letting us all know that she is here to stay and I can see her becoming the superstar she is - commanding big stages and holding the audience in her world.
Dermot Kennedy taking his headline slot is exciting, it feels like every Irish person in London is here wearing T-shirts, and hoodies and ready to sing along to every word. He first performed here at All Points East in 2019 supporting Mumford and Sons and how he is now back - a headliner! He soared triumphantly through his set supported by London Community Gospel Choir and a string accompaniment.
One major takeaway from his set was how honest, and open he is to his fans, he says, "If you take one thing from this music, it’s to cherish the people who care about you.” This reflects his latest album Sonder, as he touches themes of loss, grief, love and hope.
Dermot Kennedy played through his gorgeous hit of, ‘Power over Me’. This song went wild, the festival dancing, singing as loud as they could. There was a beautiful couple in front of me crying and holding hands while they sang along, grateful to be held in that moment.
Before we knew it a piano was on stage and Dermot Kennedy played us a stunning piano version of his song, “Rome”. He told us, “Ignore everyone around you, the right memory at the right time can change everything”. I was astounded by how beautiful his voice was as it washed over all of us, with power but also a gentleness which was so endearing.
Every song he played with the choir and the strings joining in was a crescendo of beauty, the talent on that stage was immense. Noone can doubt that Dermot Kennedy is made to be on the main stage and his fans know it. He played more of his hits, “An Evening I Will Not Forget”, “Kiss Me”, and “Better Days”, everyone knew every word. I mean it - every word!
The fanbase for Dermot Kennedy is powerful, they ride and die for him. They showed up in their thousands. He is so thankful for everyone showing up and being there together, he says the show is “a dream show” for him and as “After Rain” plays everyone gets their phone torches up in the air and we were suddenly a field of stars. Magical!
His final song, “Something to Someone” was gorgeous, a song which celebrates love and being loved right back in return. I felt love throughout his entire performance here at All Points East, the fans who have created a caring community here with open arms goes to show how music can transform lives.
This was a perfect Sunday!
There is one final day for All Points East with HAIM taking the helm on the mainstage. Now that the rain has gone and the sun is back, the festival spirit has not been dampened by strengthened community, love and acceptance.
Words by Hannah Kane
Photography by James Baker // Apart from all images of Dermot Kennedy: Provided by Outside Organisation // Photo credit; Sharon Lopez
